
Class 



DT. 



>0 f ^. I 



Book 1^ & 

Copiglit]^^ 



CDEmiCHT DEPOSXC 



T^he Etiquette jf Correspondence 



IVe use one style nvhen nve think that only those to ivhom 
ive ivrite ivill read our letters j and another 'when many 
luill read them. Cicero. 



Letters are intended as resemblances of con^versation^ 
and the chief excellencies of con<versation are good humor 
and good breeding. Walsh. 



, ./J CO feo 

The ETIQUETTE of 
CORRESPONDENCE 



BY HELEN E. GAVIT, BEING ILLUSTRATIONS 
AND SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE PROPER FORM 
IN PRESENT USAGE OF SOCIAL, CLUB, DIPLO- 
MATIC, MILITARY, AND BUSINESS LETTERS, 
WITH INFORMATION ON HERALDIC DEVICES, 
MONOGRAMS, AND ENGRAVED ADDRESSES 




NEW YORK 

A. WESSELS COMPANY 
1900 



Copyright, igoo, by 

A. WESSELS COMPANY 



V 



88806 






o 



L.ibp«ii*y of Con$rPtt«» 

Tv^c Copies Received 
DEC 15 1900 

SECOND COPY 

Oeiiv#ed to 

ORD£K OiVfSIOK 
18I9QU I 










TO 

THE MISSES ELY 



Wv tiutt 

/T is the aim of this little volume to give 
suggestions rather than instruction^ to 
answer by illustration and example the con- 
stantly recurring questions relative to proper 
form and expression in social and business 
letters. Present use and established custom^ 
when consistent with rhetorical requirements^ 
have invariably been given the preference 
to the exclusion of personal opinion and pre- 
judice. 

The author desires to express her appreci- 
ation of courtesies and helpful advice cheer- 
fully tendered during the preparation of this 
work. 

Acknowledgments are due to the firm of 
Messrs, Tiffany & Co, for information upon 



Preface 

all engraved forms of invitation and card 
etiquette ; to Messrs. Dempsey and Carroll^ 
art stationers^ for permission to use in illus^ 
tration crest, motto, address, and monogram 
dies ; to leading clergymen and to members of 
the College of St. Francis Xavier and The 
Academy of the Sacred Heart for assistance 
in clerical titles ; to commandants at military 
and naval posts, as well as to authorities in 
the world of fashion and letters for the 
knowledge which alone gives value to these 
suggestions on epistolary form in the begin- 
ning of this twentieth century. 

H. E. G. 



¥111 



C0n tentss 



Chapter Page 

I. Letter- Writing as known and practised by 

the Ancients i 

II. Selected Letters, illustrating changes in form 

from Elizabeth's to Victoria's reign ... 8 

III. Correct Form and Accepted Standards in 

paper, ink, seals, and chirography ... 29 

IV. Explanation of Heraldic Devices, crests, 

coats of arms, monograms, engraved ad- 
dresses, and autographs 34 

V. Proper Form in Addresses, superscription on 
letters, notes, postal cards, and packages sent 
by mail 46 

VI. Formal and Informal Social Letters and 
Notes : beginnings, endings, dates, signa- 
tures, with selected examples .... 57 

VII. Correspondence in Social Clubs, notices, 

notes, business letters, secretary duties . . 70 

VIII. Notes of Ceremony and Compliment, — in 
the church, diplomatic circles, the profes- 
sions, the army and navy, and political life 88 



Contents 

Chapter Page 

IX. Card Etiquette in correspondence, when and 
when not to be written on. Telegrams and 
postal cards in social use no 

X. Letters in Third Person : to business houses, 
tradesmen, milliners, dressmakers, servants, 
and inferiors . 117 

XI. Business Letters : requests for price lists, 
orders for goods, explanation of enclosures, 
subscriptions to periodicals 127 

XII. Letters of Request: for recommendation, 
indorsement, introduction, contribution to 
charity, permission for special privileges . 136 

XIII. Miscellaneous Letters : complaints, rebukes, 

to principal of school for information, ro hotel 
proprietors, inquiry for rooms and terms . 148 

XIV. Postal Regulations 160 

Some Useful Hints in relation to Corre- 
spondence 191 

Abbreviations relative to literary matter . . 197 

Foreign Words and Phrases often used in 

Correspondence 203 



[^] 




The ETIQUETTE OF 
CORRESPONDENCE 

Chapter #ne 

F of ^' making books there is 
no end," of writing letters 
there hardly seems a begin- 
ning, for from earliest ages 
man talked to man in writ- 
ten as well as in spoken 
words. Messages of love and sympathy, of 
instruction and command, were inscribed on 
any available substance, — on stones, on the 
bones and prepared skins of animals, on pieces 
of pottery, on the leaves and stripped stems 
of plants, on tablets of soft clay or wax. The 
frayed reed, the bird's quill, the metal wedge- 
shaped tool, or the slender ivory point, served 
in ancient days to trace the pictures, signs, and 
symbols that represented words, sentences", and 
sounds. Man's needs devised the medium 
through which he could convey his thoughts 
and desires. The savage, with a bit of hard- 
ened red clay or burnt wood, outlined upon a 
piece of stripped bark his challenge of war or 

L J message 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

message of peace, — sometimes in rude pictures; 
sometimes in strange devices, all equally intel- 
ligible to his enemy or his friend. Economy 
of time and material produced the necessity 
which gave birth to invention ; and a Cadmus 
resolved all signs or symbols to the one uni- 
versal form, the alphabet, which, like the octave 
of eight notes, in various combinations has 
given to the world its purest joys and bitterest 
sorrows. The literature of early civilizations 
discovered and deciphered, reveal a mass of 
epistolary correspondence — letters with so 
human a touch that time and space are anni- 
hilated, and as we read we exclaim with the 
clever Frenchman, surely " There is nothing 
new except what is forgotten." How natural, 
how wholesome and simple, is the advice of an 
Egyptian priest who writes a criticism to a 
would-be poet, a contemporary of the builders 
of the Pyramids : — 

" It is very unimportant what flows over thy 
tongue, for the compositions are very confused. 
Thou tearest the words to tatters just as it 
comes into thy mind. Thou dost not take 
pains to find out their force for thyself. If 
thou rushest wildly forward thou wilt not suc- 

[ 2 ] ceed. 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

ceed. I have struck out, for thee, the end of 
thy composition, and I return to thee thy de- 
scriptions. It is a confused medley when one 
hears it ; an uneducated person could not under- 
stand it. It is like a man from the lowlands 
speaking to a man from Elephantine." 

A fearless critic, who, barring the gentle 
courtesy, might establish a kinship with the 
editor of the " Bookman " Letter Box. 

The student of Latin delights in the brilliant 
oratorical rhetoric of Cicero, in his fearless de- 
nunciation and convincing logic. But a revela- 
tion of the man's personality is given, not in 
political argument or fierce invective, but in 
the tender solicitude of a brother: — 

" How delightful was it to get your letter 
from Britain. I had been afraid of the voyage 
across, afraid of the Rock-bound coast of the 
Island. The other changes of such a campaign 
I do not mean to despise, but in them there 
is more to hope than to fear ; and I have been 
rather anxiously expecting the result than in 
any real alarm about it. I see you have a 
capital subject to write about. What novel 
scenery ! What natural curiosities and re- 
markable places ; what strange tribes and 

[ 3 J strange 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 

strange customs, what a campaign and what a 
commander you have to describe ! I will will- 
ingly help you in the points you request, I 
will send for the verses you ask for, though it 
is sending ' An owl to Athens,' I know." 

History would be a matter of pure statistics 
were it not for such letters. Cicero is not 
alone in affectionate phrases and human in- 
terest. From the easy and graceful expression 
of Pliny the Younger we learn that there were 
pure joys, and simple faith in the marital rela- 
tion, even in those days of conventional ties 
and loose morality. His letters to his wife 
show, not only a genuine affection, but a sense 
of comradeship not usually attributed to the 
wives of the noble Romans ! 

" You write that you are no little troubled 
by my absence, and find your only solace in 
making my books take my place, and setting 
them where I ought to be. I am glad that you 
miss me. For my part I read and re-read 
your letters, taking them up in my hand many 
times, as though they were newly come. But 
this only stirs in me a keener longing for you. 
Write, nevertheless, as often as you can, though 
this, while it delights, still tortures me." 

[ 4 ] And 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

And again he writes : " There is nothing 
to write about, you say. Well, then, write and 
let me know just this, that there is nothing to 
write about, or tell me in the good old style if 
you are well." 

Such words need no interpreter; they carry 
sincerity with them, and show that human na- 
ture is after all very much the same in every 
age. Many letters of a like character might 
be quoted, letters of varying times and tongues, 
with much the same subject and sentiment, all 
proving how natural, how universal has been 
the use of the pen, that " tongue of the mind '* 
which speaks the language of the heart. In 
the wonder and beauty of the Divine Comedy 
Dante has hardly a human personality ; he is 
merged in the unreal and the marvellous ; he 
is absorbed in the atmosphere of intangibility, 
associated with spirits freed from earthly limi- 
tation and restriction, spirits that pass at will 
from space to space. 

But when in those memorable letters — a 
field of study and conjecture for the lover of 
the inspired poet — he writes to his friend and 
patron, Guido da Polenta, " I will remain 
here a few days to feast my bodily eyes, which 

[ 5 ] are 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

are naturally greedy of the novelty and plea- 
sures of the place, and then I will return to my 
sweetest haven of rest so graciously embraced 
by your royal courtesy," we meet the man, 
not the poet, and feel that " touch of nature 
that makes all the world kin." 

It hardly seems necessary to explain the 
meaning of a letter, to define it as " written 
talk " or " recorded conversation." That form 
of the exchange of thought and expression of 
sentiment is as old as man himself. " Good 
sense," says Horace, " is the foundation of all 
good writing." No straining after effect, or 
attempt at an acquired style, no borrowing of 
sentiment from another, can give the genuine 
pleasure that the simple reflection of one*s self 
in one's letters always does. 

The advice to her daughter of that most 
charming of letter writers, Mme. de Sevigne 
— "never to forsake that which is natural, 
as that only can produce a perfect style " — 
ought to be the motto of every one who sits 
down to hold pen-communion with another. It 
is perhaps this very fact of communion which 
lends to letter writing a freedom of expression 
that a studied style or artificial manner destroys. 

[ 6 ] Only 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Only when we feel the individuality, I had 
almost said the personality, of the writer, has 
the written message any charm, — a charm that 
seems to be slipping away from many letters of 
this new century, crowded out perhaps by the 
rush and throng of society engagements; by 
the demands of club-life or the absorption of 
business. 

The medium of the private secretary, the 
stenographer or typewriter, with necessary 
abbreviations and phonetic spelling, have too 
often given to brevity a soulless, perfunctory, 
stilted expression in place of the old-time ex- 
change of happy phrases, interesting details, 
and sympathetic inquiries that bound friends and 
whole households together, and added many a 
delightful page to history and literature. 

It is not the object of this little volume, 
therefore, to furnish ideas or models for the 
subject-matter of a letter. It is not to be a 
"Twentieth Century Complete Letter Writer," 
or " Guide to Correspondence," but to give 
suggestions for the form of the letter or note ; 
to illustrate from the best sources of informa- 
tion the etiquette of present usage in social 
correspondence. 

[ 7 J Chapter Tv>» 




€ ft n p t t V CUj0 

Every age has its pleasures^ its style of wit^ and its own 
ways. — BoiLEAU. 



HESE letters are selected to 
illustrate the conventionalities 
of form and expression in 
succeeding years, rather than 
to serve as models for pres- 
ent use. 

During the Wars of the Roses, 145 5-148 5, 
party adherents were valued by both the 
Houses of York and Lancaster. This curious 
letter of Margaret of Anjou's, the unhappy 
Queen of Henry VI., gives the established 
epistolary form of the period. In it she 
urges Dame Jane Carew to marry a Lancas- 
trian of the Queen's household.. 

(1450-) 
Right dere and welbeloved, we grete you 

wel, and for as much as oure trusty and wel- 
beloved Squier Thomas Burneley, server of 
oure mouth, as wel for the grete zele, love and 
afFeccion that he hath unto youre personne, as 
for womanly and virtuous governance that ye 
[ 8 ] be 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

be renouned of, desireth with all his hert to do 
you worship by way of marriage, " before all 
creatures lyving" he saith. We trust verrily 
ye shal no we pourvey right wel for youreself 
to youre grete worship and hertease. And 
cause us to have you both in such tendernesse 
and favour of oure good grace that by reason ye 
shal holde your right welcontente and pleased. 
And howe ye thinke to be disposed to oure 
plesir in this partie ye wil ascertain us by the 
bringer of these as oure simple trust in you. 

Given &c. at Eltham 

To Dame Jane Carew by the Queen. 

Letter of Margaret Paston to her hus- 
band, John Paston. 

(1461.) 

To MY RIGHT-WORSHIPPED HUSBAND, JOHN PaSTON. 

RiGHT-woRSHiPFUL HUSBAND, — I recom- 
mend me to you, to weet that mine Aunt is de- 
ceased, whose soul God assoil. And if it please 
you to send word how ye will that we do for the 
livelihood that she had at Wolcot. Also it is 
thought by my cousine Elizabeth Clere, and 
the Vicar, and others that be youre friends, that 
it is right necessary for you to have Hew 

[ 9 3 (Hugh) 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

(Hugh) of Fenn to be youre friend in yourd 

matters, for he is called right-faithful. 

The blessed Trinity have you in His blessed 

keeping. Written the Thursday next after St. 

Andrew by youre tv/i o 

^ ^ Margaret rASTON. 



A letter from William Paston, Jr., a boy 
at Eton College, to his brother, John Paston. 
It voices the same needs and sentiments that 
the boy of to-day, with less form and etiquette, 
dashes off to father or brother. 

(I475-) 

Right-reverent and worshipful brodyr, 
I recommend me unto you, desyrynge to here 
of youre welfare and prosperitie ; lettynge you 
wete that I have resevyd of Alredyr a lettyr 
and a nobyll in gowlde therein. Fethermor 
my creamsyr (creditor) Mayster Thomas 
herteley recommendyd hym to you ; and he 
prayethe you to sende hym sum mony for my 
comons, for he seythe ye be XX'^ (22 shil- 
lings) in his dette, for a monthe was to pay for 
when he hade mony laste. Also I beseeche you 
to sende me a hose clothe ; one for the haly- 
days, of sum colour, and another for the work- 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

yng days ; how corse so ever it be, makyth no 
matyr. And a Stomechere and ii (2) shyrtes, 
and a peyre of Sclyppers. And if it like you, 
that I may come with Alwedyr be watyr, and 
sporte me with you in London a day or ii this 
terme tyme ; than ye may lette all thys be 
tyl the tyme that I come from Eton ; by the 
Grace of God, whome have you in hys keepyng 
Wretyn the Saturday n^yit aftyr All Haloun 
Day, with the hand of youre brodyr. 

William Paston. 

This letter of Henry VIII. to Anne Bo- 

LEYN is interesting as a specimen of informal 
address in a king who was a law unto himself 
and followed no established precedent. 

(1528.) 

The approach of the time for which I have 
so long waited rejoices me so much that it 
seems almost to have come already. However 
the entire accomplishment cannot be 'till the 
two persons meet, which meeting is more 
desired by me than any thing in this world. 
For what joy can be greater upon earth, than 
to have the company of her who is dearest to 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

me ; knowing likewise that she does the same 
on her part, the thought of which gives me the 
greatest pleasure. . . . No more at present for 
lack of time. . . . Written by the hand of the 
Secretary, who wishes himself, at this moment, 
with you, and who is, and always will be 

Your loyal and most assured servant 

H, no other (A. B.) seeks R. 

A selected portion of a letter from Dr. Cox, 
Bishop of Ely, to Randolph Gualter, illus- 
trating the form of salutation used by church 
dignitaries in the sixteenth century. 

(1573) 
I return you my best thanks, my dear 
brother in Christ, for having sent me a most 
courteous letter, which I received in December, 
and in which you clearly manifest your anxiety 
for the Church of Christ, though at so great 
a distance from you. . . . 

Your most loving friend in Christ, 

Richard Cox. 

Pastor and servant of the Church of Ely. 

[ 12 ] In 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In this letter of Queen Elizabeth's to the 
Duke of Argyll, the formality of diplomatic 
diction is well illustrated. 

Right-trusty and well-beloved cousin, 
— We greet you well, we always have reposed 
such trust and confidence in your forwardness, 
and good inclinations to entertain the amity 
between us and the King, your sovereign, that 
we doubt not you will always show yourself 
constant therein by the continuing of your 
good office between our two crowns. . . . 

Given under our seal and signed at our 
Palace of Westminster. 

February, 1573, in the twenty-first year of 

our reign. t? n 

° Elizabeth R. 

To our trusty and well-beloved cousin. 
The Earl of Argyll. 

A love letter of Puritan times, after the em- 
barkation to the New World, is of interest 
for pure sentiments clothed in the dress of the 
period. 

GOVERNOR WINTHROP TO HIS WIFE. 

(1629.) 
My sweet Wife, — The opportunitye of 
so fitt a messenger, and my deepe engagement 
[ 13 ] of 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

of Affection to thee, makes me write at this 
tyme though 1 hope to follow soone after. 
The Lorde o' God hath ofte brought us to- 
gither w^ comfort when we have been longe 
absent, and if it be good for us, he will doe so 
still. When I was in Irelande he brought us 
togither againe. When I was sick heer at 
London he restored us togither againe. How 
many dangers neere death hast thou been 
in thyselfe and yet the Lorde hath granted me 
to injoye thee still. If he did not watch 
over us, we need not goe over sea to seeke 
death or miserye ; we should meet it at every 
steppe in every jo'nye : and is not he a God 
abroad as well as at home ? Is not his power 
and providence the same in N. E. as in old E. 
If o'' wayes please him, he can commande de- 
liverance and safety in all places and can make 
the stones of the field and the beasts, yea the 
raginge seas and o'' verye enemies to be in 
league w^ us. . . . my good wife, trust in the 
Lorde, whome thou hast found faithflill. He 
will be better to thee than any husband : and 
will restore thee to thy husband w^ advantage. 
But I must ende, w^ all o'' salut. w*^ w*^ I have 
laden this bearer, that he may be the more 

[ 14 ] kindly 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 

kindly wellcome. So I kisse my sweet wife and 
blesse thee and all o'^ and rest 

Thyne ever 

Jo: WiNTHROP. 
Feb. 14. 

Thou must be my Valentine for none hath 
challenged me. 

An example of the elegance of form and 
felicity of expression of the seventeenth cen- 
tury. A letter of Edmund Waller's to 
Lady Lucy Sidney, written on the marriage 
of her sister. Lady Dorothy Sidney, whom 

Waller had courted for ten years. 

(1639.) 

Madam, — In this common joy at Pen- 
hurst, I know none to whom complaints may 
come less unreasonably than to your ladyship ; 
and therefore you ought to pardon, if you 
consent not, to the imprecations of the deserted, 
which just Heaven, no doubt will hear. May 
my Lady Dorothy, if we may yet call her so, 
suffer as much and have a like passion for this 
young lord, whom she has preferred to the 
rest of mankind, as others have had for her. 
May her first born be none of her sex, nor 
[ 15 ] so 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 

so like her, but that he may resemble her lord 
as much as herself. 

May she, that always affected silence and re- 
tirement, have the house filled with the noise 
and number of her children, and hereafter 
of her grandchildren ; and then may she 
arrive at that great curse, so much declined 
by fair ladies, old age. May she live to be 
very old, yet seem young. Be told so by 
her glass, yet have no aches to inform her 
of the truth. And when she shall appear to 
be mortal, may her lord not mourn for her, 
but go hand-in-hand with her to that place 
where we are told there is neither marrying, 
nor giving in marriage ; so that being there di- 
vorced we may all have an equal interest in her 
again ! My revenge being immortal, I wish all 
this may befall her posterity to the world's 
end, and afterwards ! To you. Madam, I wish 
all good things, and that this your loss, may in 
good time be happily supplied. 

Madam, I humbly kiss your hands and beg 
pardon for this trouble, from 
Your ladyship's 

Most humble Servant 

E. Waller. 

[ i6 ] On 



The Etiquette, of Correspondence 

On the death of John Evelyn's two children, 
Jeremy Taylor, with whom we associate stern 
admonition, wrote so graceful a letter of con- 
dolence that it serves as an example of the 
epistolary form of the period. 

(1657.) 

Dear Sir, — If the dividing and sharing 
of grief were like the cutting of rivers, I dare 
say to you, you would find your stream much 
abated ; for I account myself to have a real 
cause of sorrow, not only in the diminution of 
the number of your joys and hopes, but in the 
loss of that pretty person, your strangely hope- 
ful boy. I cannot tell all my sorrow without 
adding to yours. And the causes of my real 
sadness at your loss are so just and so reasonable 
that I cannot otherwise comfort you, but by tell- 
ing you that you have very great cause to mourn. 
So certain is it that grief does not propagate as 
fire does. You have enkindled my funeral 
torch and by joining mine to yours, I do but 
increase the flame. " Hoc me male urit,'* is 
the best signification of my apprehension of 
your sad story. But sir, I cannot choose, I 
must hold another and a brighter flame to you, 
it is already burning in your heart, and you have 

[ '7 ] (*) enough 



T^he Etiquette of Correspondence 

enough within you to warm yourself, and to 
shine to others. Remember sir, your two 
boys are two bright stars, and their innocence 
is secured, and you shall never hear evil of 
them. Their state is safe and Heaven is 
given to them upon very easy terms. Nothing 
but to be born and die. 

Sir, I shall pray for all that you can want 
that is ; some degree of comfort and a present 
mind ; and shall always do for honour, and 
fain also would do for service, if it were in my 
power, as it is in the affections and desires of. 

Dear sir. 

Your most affectionate and obliged friend & 

servant. j ^ 

Jer. 1 aylor. 

O a very different order is this easy, graceful 
letter of thanks written by Addison to Cham- 
berlain Dashwood. 

(1702.) 

Dear Sir, — About three days ago Mr. 
Bocher put a very pretty snuff-box in my 
hand. I was not a little pleased to hear that 
it belonged to myself; and was much more so, 

[ J 8 J when 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

when I found it was a present from a gentleman 
that I have so great an honour for. You did 
not probably foresee that it would draw on 
you the trouble of a letter, but you must blame 
yourself for it. For my part I can no more 
accept a snuff-box without returning my ac- 
knowledgments, than I can take snuff without 
sneezing after it. This last I must own to 
you is so great an absurdity that 1 should be 
ashamed to confess it, were I not in hope of 
correcting it very speedily. I am observed to 
have my box oftener in my hand than those 
that have been used to one these twenty years, 
for I can't forbear taking it out of my pocket 
whenever I think of Mr. Dashwood. You 
know Mr. Bays recommends snuff as a great 
provocative to wit, but you may produce 
this letter as a standing evidence against him. 
I have, since the begining of it, taken above 
a dozen pinches, and still find myself much 
more inclined to sneeze than to jest. From 
whence I conclude that Wit and Tobacco are 
not inseparable. But whatever you may think 
me, pray Sir do me the justice to esteem me 
Your most obliged and humble servant. 

Jos. Addison. 

[ 19 ] A letter 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

A letter of Henry Fielding, the author 
of " Tom Jones/' to the Hon. George Lyt- 
TLETON, congratulating that gentleman on his 
marriage. 

(1 749-) 

Sir, — Permit me to bring up the rear of 
your friends in paying my compliments of 
congratulations on your late happy nuptials. 
There may, perhaps, be seasons when the 
rear, may be as honorable a post in friendship, 
as in war ; and if so, such certainly must be 
every time of felicity and joy. Your present 
situation must be full of bliss, and so will be, 
I am confident, your future life from the same 
fountain. ... I beg you will do me the honour 
of making my compliments to your unknown 
lady, and believe me to be with the highest 
esteem, respect, and gratitude. 

Sir, your most obliged 

most obedient, humble servant, 

Henry Fielding. 

The first letter of Walpole's, addressed to 
the Misses Berry. The letters of Horace 
Walpole have long been enjoyed for the 

(] 20 J glimpses 



T^he Etiquette of Correspondence 

glimpses they give of society in the latter half 

of the eighteenth century. 

(1789.) 

I am sorry in the sense of that word, 
before it meant, like a Hebrew word, glad or 
sorry ; that I am engaged this evening : and I 
am at your command on Tuesday, as it is 
always my inclination to be. It is a misfortune 
that words are become so much the current 
coin of society, that like King William's shil- 
lings — they have no impressions left: they 
are so smooth that they mark no more to 
whom they first belonged, than to whom they 
do belong, and are not worth even the twelve 
pence into which they may be changed ; but 
if they mean too little, they may seem to 
mean too much ; especially when an old man 
— who is often synonymous for a miser — 
parts with them. I am afraid of protesting 
how much I delight in your society, lest I 
should seem to affect being gallant; but if 
two negatives make an affirmative, why may 
not two ridicules compose one piece of sense; 
and therefore as I am in love with you both, 
I trust it is a proof of the good sense of 

Your devoted r\ 

Orford. 

([ 21 J A pathetic 



V 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

A pathetic letter of Robert Burns to the 
Earl of Glencairn asking for the position 
that afterwards proved his ruin. 

(1787.) 

My Lord, — I know your lordship will 
disapprove of my ideas in a request I am going 
to make to you : but I have weighed long and 
seriously, my situation, my hopes, and turn of 
mind, and am fully fixed to my scheme, if I 
can possibly effectuate it. I wish to get into 
the Excise. I am told that your lordship's in- 
terest will easily procure me the grant from the 
Commissioners; and your lordship's patronage 
and goodness which have already rescued me 
from obscurity, wretchedness, and exile, em- 
boldens me to ask that interest. You have 
likewise put it into my power to save the little 
tie of home, that sheltered an aged mother, 
two brothers and three sisters, from destruction. 
There my lord, you have bound me over to the 
highest gratitude. . . . Your lordship's patron- 
age is the strength of my hopes ; nor have I yet 
applied to anybody else. Indeed my heart 
sinks within me at the idea of applying to any 
other of the great who have honoured me with 
their countenance. I am ill-qualified to dog 

[ 22 ] the 



B I B L I O G R A PHY 

" The Paston Letters." 

Knight's " Half Hours with Best Letter 

Writers." 
" Dante's Eleven Letters," translated by Latham. 
Scoone's " Four Centuries of English Letters." 
" Cicero's Letters." 
" Pliny's Letters." 
"Some Old Puritan Love Letters." 



L ^7 ] Chapter Three 



€ftnpttv Wfixtt 

The secret of elegance lies in adaptation, — Wendell. 
Custom reconciles us to everything. — Burke. 




N a charming article on Cor- 
respondence, written for the 
" Woman*s Book/' a well- 
known writer on social mat- 
ters says : "It is rare to 
find an American woman's 
letter lacking in ease, liveliness, and graceful 
expression, but in form there is often much 
left to be desired." 

It is this very ignorance of form that creates 
a demand for just such an article as the one 
alluded to in the "Woman's Book." 

Nor is it wholly the fault of the American 
woman. Reams of paper are used in schools 
and colleges upon the " daily theme ; " upon 
construction and rhetorical form ; but the 
every-day note, the familiar letter, receives lit- 
tle attention. The clever young graduate who 
has discussed on paper all the phases of social 
economics, finds herself in a quandary as to the 
questions of social etiquette in her acknowl- 

|_ 29 J edgments 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

edgments of congratulatory notes and favors. 
Too often the fancy is left to follow the vagaries 
of some fleeting fashion of odd shapes and 
color in her writing paper, of peculiar shades 
of ink, and of eccentricities in handwriting. 
Good breeding and refinement are rarely ex- 
pressed in extremes of any kind, especially in 
that representative of one's self a note or letter. 

The greater part of the correspondence of 
to-day is written on note paper of the Scotch 
granite variety, though a deep blue finds ready 
favor. Shades of pale lavender, green, blue, 
buflF, and pearl gray are to be found on the 
writing tables of many leaders in society. 
There is nothing, however, in better taste nor 
of more enduring fashion than the pure white 
or delicate tints of ivory and cream. 

It would be impossible as well as useless to 
name all the varieties of fine writing paper, such 
as parchment, vellum, bond, woven linen, etc., 
with smooth or rough surface, or that happy 
compromise between the two, the kid-finish ; 
but only the best quality of paper should be 
used in social correspondence. Ruled paper 
should never be used except for certain business 
forms. In writing paper, the sizes most in 

[ 30 ] demand 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

demand are the octavo and the billet, — the 
former for personal and business use ; the lat- 
ter for the thousand and one little notes that 
meet the obligations of society. The sheet, 
in shape, may be square, or 7 x 4% inches 
for the octavo, 6% x 4 inches for the billet. 
For club use 5% x 7%6 inches is the correct 
form. 

Envelopes should correspond in size and 
shape with the paper, and they should be large 
enough to hold the sheet folded once, from the 
bottom towards the top, the crease coming in 
the middle of the page. There is in fine linen 
and bond papers, in blue, white, and gray, a size 
called commercial, used for foreign, family, and 
business letters. For this size the envelope is 
long and narrow, requiring the sheet to be 
folded twice. 

In foreign countries, especially in England, 
the black-edge on mourning paper varies in 
width according to the degree of relationship to 
the deceased. For a father, a mother, a wife, 
or husband, a very wide margin on paper and 
envelope is required. In this country there is 
no regulation. Width of border is left to the 
taste of the mourner. Though a narrow line 

[ 31 ] 



seems 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

seems to have the preference. Any conspicu- 
ous or ostentatious parade of grief is in ques- 
tionable taste. Colored ink, even the once 
fashionable violet hue, is out of favor. Black, 
and black only, of a quality that will not fade, 
is preferred for private and public use. The 
number and variety of gold, brass, and steel 
pens, from the finest point to the coarsest stub, 
ought to meet the needs of every writer, and 
to leave little excuse for illegible and slovenly 
penmanship. 

How grateful we of the twentieth century 
should be that common sense and the laws of 
hygiene have made clear, legible handwriting 
a necessity. The fine sloping Italian hand, 
associated with the Jane Austen type of girl, 
and the pointed English, with its indecipher- 
able letters so tantalizing to the eyes, have 
been replaced by the small but perfectly legible 
"literary hand," and the clear upright stroke 
of the vertical form. In no one thing is 
character more faithfully reflected than in the 
chirography. Flourishes in handwriting smack 
of the shop, the office, and the desk, and 
belong more to commercial than to social 
correspondence. 

[ 32 ] Though 



"The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

Though the well-furnished writing table or 
desk has its wax taper in attractive designs, 
and its piece of white, red, or colored sealing- 
wax in a silver or gilt holder, yet few letters 
of this year of grace 1900 bear the imprint 
of the writer's seal. Like many another 
delicate accompaniment of elegant leisure, it 
has been relegated to the days of our grand- 
mothers, who cherished the custom of sealing 
every missive with variously tinted wax, and 
practised the art with a daintiness and nicety 
of touch that gave a finish and elegance to 
the most simple epistle. Truly the break- 
ing of a seal in those days was a matter of 
hesitation. 

To the new woman, with her time-absorbing 
engagements and practical views, wax has only 
an association with legal documents, diplomas, 
and express packages. 



[ 33 ] (1) Chapter Your 



€ftnpttv Jfour 




But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat [speare. 

To emblaxon the honours that thy master got. — Shake- 

ITH the organization of the 
two societies, the Daughters 
of the Revolution and the 
Colonial Dames, has come 
a renewed interest in gene- 
alogy and heraldry. The 
open sesame to either one of these two societies 
being an unbroken line of colonial descent, a 
desire is created in many unassuming Americans 
to look up their lineage and to establish a right 
to the use of a coat of arms, a crest, or a motto. 
Nor can it be said that the desire for such a 
possession always arises from the love of mere 
vulgar display. A name and lineage represen- 
tative of high standards and noble deeds is 
not to be despised. Even the most democratic 
in principle and theory prize such an in- 
heritance. Had an honored name a greater 
value in this Republic of ours, men would 
preserve its integrity with jealous care, and 
would bequeath to their posterity a greater 

L 34 J treasure 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

treasure than a limitless bank account. The 
distinctive feature of personality and individ- 
uality in a name ought to appeal to a high 
sense of responsibility. 

In so cosmopolitan a country as the United 
States, where the real native is left to semi- 
barbarism, the American of to-day finds that 
the root of his family tree was nourished on 
foreign soil ; a soil that may be washed by 
the Atlantic, the Pacific, or the Indian Ocean, 
or that may border the Mediterranean, North, 
Black, and Caspian Seas ; a soil that may have 
been held and defended by the owner of a name 
emblazoned on shield, helmet, and surcoat ; a 
name inherited by generations of descendants, 
some of whom found life and liberty in a new 
land. Nor did they forget, even in the days 
of colonial simplicity and under new conditions, 
the proud possession intrusted to them. For 
the early colonists carefully preserved their 
family claims and distinctions, recording them 
even on tombstones, where we frequently find 
heraldic devices and mottoes inscribed, — in 
Salem, Massachusetts ; in Copp's Hill Cemetery; 
in King's Chapel, Boston ; and in many other 
New England towns, — while in Portsmouth, 

[ 35 ] 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

as well as in Virginia and North Carolina, 
there are, carved over the doors and mantel- 
pieces of some of the old manor houses, strange 
designs and individual mottoes. Quaint silver 
spoons and forks, still treasured by many who 
have long called America home, bear witness 
to a kinship with the knights of old. Since 
then, the crest and coat of arms have come into 
more general favor ; the most artistic and prac- 
tical use of heraldry, in this democratic coun- 
try, is in the bookplate, the engraved seal, and 
on fine stationery. A few words as to the 
proper application of the symbols and devices 
will not be out of place in this little book on 
present use in letter form. 

In feudal days, when Germany, France, and 
England bristled with fortress castles, when 
knights and their retainers practised the arts of 
war, heraldry had its origin. On the field of 
battle, in the gay tournament, each knight, 
encased in glittering steel, felt the necessity for 
some feature of distinction for himself and his 
followers. Originally, arms, like surnames, 
were a matter of choice ; occupations, charac- 
teristic qualities, and valiant deeds determining 

[ 36 ] the 



The Bjtiquette of Correspondence 

the especial title. Owing to the absence of any 
particular form for the registry of these titles, 
confusion often resulted, and more than one 
knight bore the same insignia. In the reign 
of Henry III. a roll of arms, borne by barons 
and knights, was formed, and the right was 
granted and made hereditary to the noble- 
man who had longest borne the title. In the 
reign of Edward I., 1274, the compulsory use 
of arms and seals by the king's coroners was 
ordained. Afterwards in a statute, every free- 
man was ordered, under the penalty of a fine, to 
have his proper coat of arms. Under the fos- 
tering care of Edward III. knighthood blos- 
somed into the splendor of the " Order of the 
Round Table," and reached its finest flower in 
the reign of Henry V., 1413. He prohibited, 
under heavy penalty, the use of any arms to 
which the bearer was unable to prove a proper 
claim. 

Before coats of arms were hereditary posses- 
sions, a knight of noble birth bore his shield 
plain, until, by some famous deed of daring, he 
had won for himself the right to bear a device. 

Maritime discovery, commercial enterprise, 
and the introduction of gunpowder brought a 

L 37 J decline 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

decline in chivalry. To the steel-clad baron 
and his retainers there was left, in lieu of a 
more tangible estate, a recorded title and an 
emblazoned shield. 

In heraldry the origin of the name " arms " 
is naturally to be traced to the shield and the 
symbols displayed upon it. These served to 
distinguish the knight in the lists and on the 
field of battle. The term " coat of arms " is 
derived from the fact that the same symbol 
upon the shield was also embroidered upon the 
surcoat, — a garment worn over the armor. 
Even when the insignia was displayed else- 
where, on castle or banner, the same term was 
used. 

For individual and corporate distinction, in 
public and private life, coats of arms were a 
necessity. A kingdom, a province, a country, 
or a state, claimed the same right with a king 
and a baron. " An achievement of arms," in 
the language of heraldry, is made up of sepa- 
rate parts, each of which has an especial sig- 
nificance and derivation, — a shield and all that 
is depicted upon it; the appendages of the 
shield, — helmet, crest, wreath, motto, mantel, 
and supporters. 

[ 38 ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

The escutcheon^ or shield, is the surface upon 
which armorial bearings are emblazoned, the 
form varying with the degree and condition 
of the owner. 

To charge a shield is to place any figure 
upon it. In the royal arms of England, the 
shield is charged with three lions. In the 
United States, — used as a seal, — the shield is 
charged with symbols representing the thirteen 
original States. 

To impale arms is to join a wife's coat of 
arms with that of her husband's, a perpendicu- 
lar line dividing the two. Impalement was also 
used by dignitaries of the Church, who impaled 
the arms of the diocese with their own. 

The quartering of arms is the dividing of the 
surface of the shield into four parts when the 
arms of the parents are carried by the children, 
who, in lieu of bearing them, impale them quar- 
tered. The quarter, as its name implies, occu- 
pies one fourth of the shield. All the issue of 
a marriage with an heiress are entitled to bear 
both the paternal and maternal coats quartered, 
together with all the quarterings to which their 
mother herself may have been entitled. Thus 
an escutcheon may be charged with the bear- 

[ 39 ] ings 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

ings of an unlimited number of families. 
When Edward III. laid claim to the French 
throne, he charged his shield with the bearings 
of France. 

To emblazon a shield is to put upon it vari- 
ous symbols and devices. The word comes 
from the German word hlasen (to blow), in 
allusion to the trumpet announcement of the 
herald at tournaments when the name and 
lineage of the contending knights were pro- 
claimed. 

Hatchments were lozenge-shaped frames 
charged with a coat of arms, and usually affixed 
to the front of a house on the death of one of 
its principal inmates ; certain rules were ob- 
served to indicate whether the deceased was 
single, married, a widow, or a widower. 

The helmet^ in an achievement of arms, is 
placed directly over the shield. It varies in 
form and design according to the period, and 
the rank of the wearer. 

The cresty originally, represented only an 
ornament on the helmet, to distinguish mili- 
tary leaders when engaged in battle. The 
right of bearing a crest was considered even 
more honorable than that of coat-armory. A 

[ 40 ] noble 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

noble could succeed by birth to the right of a 
coat of arms, but only a knight in actual ser- 
vice could wear a crest. It belonged essen- 
tially to the person of a military commander, in 
this respect differing from the Badge, which all 
his retainers wore. A lady is, therefore, not 
entitled to a crest, nor can she confer upon 
another that to which she has no right. Crests 
are always represented on a wreath surmount- 
ing the shield. 

The wreath displays the knight's colors ; it 
encircles the helmet and supports the crest. It 
was originally formed of two pieces of silk 
twisted together by the fair hand of the knight's 
chosen lady. 

The motto^ placed usually on a ribbon or 
scroll underneath the shield, and occasionally 
above the crest, was the war-cry of the knight ; 
its use was forbidden to those below a certain 
degree. Later it embodied some principle or 
sentiment of religious, warlike, or patriotic im- 
port. Unlike the other appendages, it may be 
changed or relinquished, or the same motto 
may be used by different persons. Like the 
crest, however, its use in England is denied to 
women. 

[ 41 ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

The supporters are the figures each side of 
the shield, — beasts or birds, or imaginary crea- 
tures. In the arms of Great Britain, the lion 
and the unicorn are supporters to the shield. 
Supporters are granted solely by the crown, and 
are a peculiar mark of royal favor for eminent 
service rendered; thus, in 1867, her majesty 
Queen Victoria granted supporters to Benja- 
min Guinness, Esq., in recognition of his mu- 
nificence in restoring the cathedral of St. Patrick 
in Dublin. 

The mantel^ or manteaUy in the days of 
chivalry, hung down from the helmet to pro- 
tect its wearer in heat and storm ; the ragged, 
irregular edges signify cuts received in battle. 
It now serves merely as an ornament to the 
shield. 

From these brief explanations of the rise and 
meaning of heraldic devices, the fact asserts 
itself that a coat of arms is a reflection of the 
glory of the past, not an achievement of the 
present. The absurdity of creating or design- 
ing a crest, as one would a monogram, hardly 
needs comment. If one's pedigree can be 
traced back to the first half of the eighteenth 
century, there is good reason to believe the 

[ 42 ] College 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

College of Heraldry, an institution of authority, 
can establish the right to a veritable crest, 
motto, and coat of arms. The laws governing 
heraldry should be carefully observed by those 
adopting its use, that all anachronisms and 
blunders may be avoided. One has only to 
look at the official seal of some of the States 
in the Union to realize the ridiculous form 
and meaningless jumble a coat of arms may 
assume. 

It is well to remember these simple rules in 
heraldry : — 

A husband may impale his wife's arms with 
his own. 

A wife may bear her husband's arms without 
the crest or the motto. 

Sons may bear their parents' arms. 

Daughters bear the same on a lozenge- 
shaped shield, a knot of ribbon taking the 
place of the crest, and the motto omitted. 

A widow may use her husband's and her 
own arms on a lozenge-shaped shield, encircled 
with a silver cord. 

In the use of monograms, placed either in 
the middle of the page at the top, or in the 

L 43 J corner 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

corner at the left, one should be governed by 
good taste. The design of a pure monogram — 
one word, one drawing, — must have the letters 
so interwoven as to give the appearance of a 
whole, not of separate parts. As a rule, the 
leading letter should be the strongest, the most 
prominent. Colors, if not conspicuous or glar- 
ing, often lend a beauty to the design. It is 
not considered thoroughly good form to have 
the monogram on the envelope, though many 
fashionable stationers recommend it. 

A very pretty and artistic form much in 
vogue, is a shield with the initials in lieu of 
heraldic devices, and above or below the ini- 
tials a gracefully disposed ribbon, on which, 
instead of a motto, the address is embossed. 
Unique designs of initials, and even the auto- 
graph of the Christian name, are used on fash- 
ionable note paper. Engraved addresses in 
colors, in gold, silver, and bronze, are almost 
a necessity in all social correspondence. 

The right place for the address is in the 
middle of the page, not more than an inch 
below the top. There is a choice in regard to 
placing the address on the envelope, — either on 
the flap, or in one corner; this fashion, how- 

[ 44 3 ever, 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

ever, has not the sanction of good form, except 
for business use. 

For the country house or club, there is 
often, in addition to the engraved name and 
initials, the address of the nearest post-office, 
express office, and telephone station. It is 
also the custom to have the writing paper for 
private yachts and luxurious camps stamped 
with a design indicative of the quarters occu- 
pied, or a pretty motto with the name of the 
boat or camping ground. 



[ 45 ] Chapter Five 



€hup 1 1 X JFib t 




Say not " a small event'' Why " small F " 

Costs it more pain that this ye call? — Browning. 

|HE duties of the postmasters 
throughout the Union — I 
might add throughout Eu- 
rope — would be materially 
lessened were the superscrip- 
tion of a letter, a postal-card, 
and a package a matter of more care and de- 
liberation. Printed forms have been widely- 
distributed by the Post-office Department, re- 
questing the senders of all mailable matter to 
write legibly and clearly the entire address, 
with as few abbreviations as possible, — the 
name of the State, the county, the town. 
Instructions as to the proper form of abbre- 
viations for each State have been given, not 
only to business houses, but also to institutions 
and schools. 

The duplication of names of towns and vil- 
lages within the limits sometimes of one State 
causes endless confusion, and makes necessary 
the addition of the name of the county to that 

[ 46 ] of 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

of the State. Numberless letters lie unidenti- 
fied in various post-offices, to be collected at 
last and sent to the Dead Letter Office, because 
this simple precaution was neglected. The care 
taken by the Post-office Department to preserve 
the contents of a letter inviolate, the countless 
expedients resorted to before breaking a seal, 
call attention to the carelessness of writers and 
give to every one a sense of trust and security 
in the honor of Uncle Sam's officials. 

A visit to the Dead Letter Office would be 
an astonishing revelation of the many thought- 
less, irresponsible letter writers. The Govern- 
ment employs experts whose sole duty it is to 
decipher, by sound, by associations, and com- 
mon sense, the strange directions on letters and 
parcels. An especial " Delivery Directory '' 
has been carefully prepared for this department. 
It contains nearly eight hundred pages of val- 
uable information, systematically arranged, con- 
cerning the names and extent of numbering 
of all the avenues, streets, and alleys in four 
hundred and seventy-four towns where there is a 
free delivery of the mails. Every postmaster 
of a "free delivery" office is supplied with a 
copy of this book, which he uses in correcting 

[ 47 ] the 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

the addresses on letters and parcels that may 
reach his office by mistake. How often we 
see on misdirected letters the word " Missent " 

stamped, or the sentence " Try number /* 

or the letters "Nf/' meaning "Not found," yet 
do not realize all the efforts made to send the 
letter to its proper destination. 

A lady who has spent two years travelling in 
Europe holds among her treasures an envel- 
ope completely covered with addresses, the 
original one of which was incorrect. The mis- 
sive had been re-directed and sent from place 
to place, until, at the end of six months and a 
long round-about journey, it reached her with 
seal unbroken. What an amount of time and 
human energy would have been spared had 
the writer of the epistle been as painstaking as 
the postal officials. It is not alone the letters 
of the illiterate and ignorant that go astray ; 
illegibility in the most graceful of handwritings, 
and the neglect of details, send thousands of 
letters to the oblivion of the Dead Letter Office. 
Leaving fs uncrossed, writing A^s like O's, 
Cal. like CoL^ Pa. Hke La. and Va.^ N, T, like 
N. J., and many seemingly unimportant distinc- 
tions, cause delay if not actual loss. 

[ 48 ] To 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



To insure the return of mailed matter, in 
case of doubt as to the correctness of the 
superscription, the sender's own address should 
be written or printed in the upper left-hand 
corner of the envelope, or on the reverse side, 
on the flap, the words, " If not found please 
return, etc." This rule ought to be rigidly 
followed if the package or letter contains 
anything of value. 

Generally the superscription is divided into 
three parts, — name, title, and place. The 
United States postal law, however, requires 
four parts, — name, county, post-office, and 
State. A person should always be addressed 
in writing as he himself writes his name 
and title. To divide it, or spell it in a pecul- 
iar manner, is surely not only his privilege 
but his right. A witty lady once replied to 
her old French master, who was reiterating 
the fact of the simplicity of French spelling : 
" Yes, I know. Monsieur, but God alone knows 
how to spell your proper nouns." It would 
seem sometimes as if finite intuition failed to 
meet all the idiosyncrasies of surnames and titles. 
The safe rule is, to write both according to the 
owner's model. 

[ 49 ] (4) AU 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

All addresses and directions on an envelope 
or a package should be as neat and as distinct 
as possible. The outside of the envelope first 
attracts the eye of the receiver of a letter, 
and, in a way, introduces the writer. It 
should therefore make a pleasing impression. 
Be careful to avoid all flourishes, all conceits of 
fancy, — if they must be, leave them for a 
private view. Do not write messages on the 
envelope. " In haste," " Deliver immediately," 
and all unnecessary comments, are not in good 
taste. The old form of" Addressed," " Pres- 
ent," " En ville," are seldom if ever used. 
The words " To " and " For" are only used 
before a title that takes the article " The." T^o 
The Rev^ Andrew Brown, etc. The sign V^, 
for " in care of," the symbol ^ for the word 
"number," have long been out of use even on 
business letters. The name and designation 
of office should be in the centre of the envel- 
ope; or if the address be a long one, just above 
the centre. On a square envelope, k is good 
form to place the rest of the address in such a 
relation to the name that a wide margin is left 
on each side, the superscription forming almost 
the shape of a pyramid reversed ; thus : — 

[50] Miss 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Miss Mary Honeycomb 
2^ Euclid Avenue 
Cleveland 
Ohio 



On the long and narrow envelopes the super- 
scription should be written so that each line 
projects a little beyond the one above it. But 
the projection must be on the right-hand side 
of the envelope, thus : — 



Miss Mary Honeycomb 

2^ Euclid Avenue 

Cleveland 

Ohio 



[ 5- J 



Edward 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Edward L. Jones ^ Esq. 

Cooperstown 
Otsego Co, 
New York 



There is a wide difference of opinion as 
to the punctuation of a superscription. The 
writers of the old school maintain that a comma 
should end every line but the last, as it indi- 
cates the omission of a word. Rhetorically 
speaking, they are perfectly correct. The 
writers of the new school insist that, as punc- 
tuation is merely the separation of sentences 
and parts of sentences for clearness, the division 
into lines, in an address, answers the purpose of 
punctuation and renders the comma superfluous. 
The generality of writers seem to follow the later 
practice, and with the exception of abbreviations, 
omit all punctuation on the envelope. 

Letters addressed to the great metropolis of 
the United States do not need the county 

[ 52 ] added. 



T^he Etiquette of Correspondence 

added. New York, N. Y., or New York City, 
is sufficient. When the post-office address is 
a city where there are letter-carriers, it is neces- 
sary to give the number and the street, and 
sometimes the name of the apartment house 
or hotel. The abbreviation " No." before 
figures is no longer considered necessary. 

It often facilitates the rapid delivery of busi- 
ness letters to add to the rest of the address the 
number of the office room, should it be in 
one of the huge business buildings that loom 
skyward in the great cities. If a name be a 
designation in itself, like " Lincoln Place," 
" Montague Terrace," " Park Row," or 
" Broadway," the abbreviation " St." is re- 
dundant. The word " Town " on social notes 
has no especial significance, and is an aflfecta- 
tion without the authority of good form. In 
a large city the distinction made between the 
superscription of social and business notes is 
the omission of the word city, or the name of 
the city itself On notes of invitation, ac- 
ceptance, regret, or announcements of days 
"At Home," the address should be simply 
the name, and the number and name of the 
street. 

[ 53 ] Mrs. 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Mrs, William White 
8 Washington Square North 



Miss Blank 
J East Fifty-Seventh Street 



^ 54 J -^ business 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



A business letter, and a business letter only, 
should have the word " City " without the 
name before it. 



Mr. John Jones 

22 Courtlandt Street 
City 



In foreign countries, notably Germany, there 
is sometimes a form of superscription in which 
the name of the city or town precedes the num- 
ber and street. The custom, however, is not 
usual. 

On packages sent by mail the direction and 
address should be most explicit. The very 
fact that all parcels are rated second and third 
class matter renders them of less importance 
in the eyes of the postal-clerks. It is an ex- 

[ 55 ] cellent 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

cellent custom, recommended by the Postmas- 
ter General, to have the sender's name and 
address written in one corner. This insures the 
return of the parcel should it fail to reach the 
person to whom it is addressed. 

In preparing packages for the mail, be care- 
ful to have them securely tied. Extra postage 
is demanded if the parcel is sealed, A neat, 
well-shaped package, with the stamps right- 
side up in the right-hand corner, is as much an 
indication of character as a carefully addressed 
letter. A slovenly, awkwardly prepared parcel 
makes an impression uncomplimentary to the 
sender. 



[ 56 ] Chapter Six 



€ ft n p t t X 



t V 



Good-by^ my paper 's out so nearly^ 

Pve only room for — Tours sincerely, 

"'"' , — The Fudge Family — Moore. 




|HE style of the formal invi- 
tation to a luncheon, dinner, 
wedding, or evening enter- 
tainment is settled by the 
art stationer, as it is an 
established custom to have 
such invitations engraved. Many persons use 
an engraved form, in which are left blanks for 
the guest's name and the hour and nature 
of the entertainment. 

This form is, however, more often used for 
informal affairs than for strictly formal ones. 
If the entertainment be given in honor of 
some distinguished person or favored friend, 
before his name the words " To meet " 
should be written. When there is more than 
one guest of distinction the names should be 
placed one above another, seniority of title 
and years taking precedence. A very formal 
invitation of this kind should be entirely 

[ 57 ] engraved. 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

engraved. In such a case the words "To 
meet " should be at the top of the page, and 
the guest's name immediately underneath. 

To meet 

Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins 

Mr. and Mrs.William Brown 

Request the pleasure of, 

etc. 

If a ball, concert, or reception be given in a 
-public hall or ball-room, the invitation should 
be entirely engraved, — a written form detracts 
from the dignity of the occasion. With this 
exception the " engraved blank card," as the 
stationers term it, answers every purpose. 
The words " Cotillon," " Music," " Reading," 
or whatever the entertainment, may be written 
in the lower left-hand corner. 

Invitations issued by members of clubs and 
officers in the army and navy often have the 
phrase, " The honor of your company," etc., 
" The honor of your presence," etc., instead of 
" The pleasure of your company." Out-of- 
town social functions generally have the en- 
graved form on a note sheet,- with careful 

L 5° J instructions 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

instructions as to suburban trains, boats, and 
conveyances added on the third page, or upon 
a separate card. 

The use of the initials " R. s. v. p." for the 
French sentence ^^ Repondez s il vous plait y' has 
been, in many instances, replaced by the sensi- 
ble English form, " The favor of an answer is 
requested." The good taste of using either 
mode on invitations, except where club or 
house room is limited, is a matter of ques- 
tion. Even a gentle reminder of one's social 
obligations seems unnecessary, as common 
courtesy calls for the recognition of proffered 
hospitality. 

There is hardly any limit to the informal 
invitation, other than that of graceful diction 
and easy colloquial style. It should have a 
distinct individuahty, suggesting to the reader 
the personality of the writer. 

To write a simple, straightforward note, 
happy in choice of words and expressions of 
sentiment, is a gift, though a certain ease and 
form may be gained from careful observation 
and constant practice. The days of useless 
compliment and flowery rhetoric are happily 
passed. Sincerity and kindly feeling give a 

[ 59 ] charm 



T'he Etiquette of Correspondence 

charm to any note or letter. It is interesting 
in this connection to read a letter written in 
the seventeenth century, when euphemism per- 
vaded literary and epistolar)^ form, and the 
abilit)' " to paint the lily and gild refined 
gold " was a necessary accomplishment. 



From James Howell to the Right Hon- 
orable Lady E. D. 

Madam, — There is a French saying that 
courtesies and favours are like flowers, which are 
sweet only while they are fresh, and afterwards 
they quickly fade and wither. I can not deny 
that your favours to me might be compared 
to some kind of flower, — and they would 
make a thick posie, — but they should be the 
flower called " Life Everlasting," or that pretty 
vermilion flower which grows at the foot of 
Mount T^tna in Sicily, which never loses any 
of its first colour and scent. . . . Nor were it 
any danger to compare courtesies done to me 
to other flowers as I use them, for I distil 
them in the limbec of my memory and so 
turn them to essences. 

[ 60 ] Bat 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

But, Madam, I honour you not so much 
for favours, as for that precious brood of 
virtues which shine in you with that bright- 
ness . . . whereby your soul soars up so often 
towards heaven, in-so-much. Madam, that if it 
were safe to call any mortal saint, you should 
have that title from me ; and I would be one 
of your chiefest votaries ; how-so-ever I may 
without any superstition subscribe myself 

Your truly devoted Servant, 

J. H. 

In this century the flattery is more direct 
and less metaphorical. 

My dear Mrs. Grey, — 

The Campbells and their cousins are com- 
ing to dine with us on Friday, the tenth, at 
seven-thirty. Will you and your sister lend 
the charm of your grace and wit to the attrac- 
tions of the evening ? You will add pleasure 
not only to a congenial circle, but to 

Yours most cordially, 
Tuesday the Seventh. EvELYN Brown. 

[ 6i ] Even 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Even more simple is this form : — 
[engraved address.] 

Dear Miss Graham, — 

If you and your brother have no engage- 
ment for Tuesday evening, may we hope that 
you will give us the pleasure of dining with us 
quite informally at seven-thirty ? 

Very sincerely yours, 

Saturday,May the tenth. MaRIAN LaWRENCE. 



Or — 

[engraved address.] 

Dear Elsie, — 

May we count on you for Thursday evening 
at eight-thirty ? Felix will play for us, and 
that is always such a treat. Do come. 

Affectionately yours, 

[Date.] Marie 

[ 62 ] My 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

[engraved address.] 

My dear Mrs. Taylor, — 

We are asking a few friends for whist on 
Monday at half after eight, and hope you and 
Mr. Taylor will join us. 

Always cordially yours, 

Friday the fifth. FRANCES LoVERING. 

The questions that often arise in regard to 
informal notes are, the place of the date, the form 
of salutation, and the complimentary close. In 
long familiar letters, where all available space 
is required, the date may be at the top of the 
page a little to the right of the address — 
when engraved — or the monogram. In busi- 
ness letters it should always be at the top, 
directly under, or at one side of the address. 
Abbreviations are commonly used and Arabic 
figures, — Sept. 30, 1900. In some forms, 
30th Sept., 1900. The argument in favor of 
the latter arrangement is, that the order is in 
logical sequence. 

In the social note the date should be at the 
end of the contents of the epistle, and after 
the signature. It should be written in the 

[ 63 ] lower 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

lower left-hand corner, — " September tenth," 
or " September the tenth." No date of the 
year is necessary, unless the writer has reason to 
believe his letters and notes will be published 
for the enjoyment of a larger circle of readers. 

In all letters on business, the year should 
never be omitted. If the date be a long two- 
syllabled or compound word, it is better form 
to write it in figures. "January the twenty- 
seventh," would be difficult to write on one 
line. " January 27 " would look less assertive, 
and the form is frequently used for convenience 
as well as for economy of space. On a very 
brief or informal note the name of the month 
is not written, only the day and the date, — 
" Tuesday the tenth." A senseless and short- 
lived fad was the use of Roman notation, — 
February XXII. 

Good form in any note or letter requires 
the pages to be written on in regular order, — 
the first, second, third, and last. The letter 
should open and read like the pages in a book. 
If there be subject-matter for two pages, only 
the first and the third should be used ; not the 
first and the fourth, as some extremists declare. 
The absurd practice of beginning a letter on the 

[ 64 ] fourth 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

fourth page, or of writing on the first, fourth, 
second, and third, cannot be too severely 
frowned upon. To send a friend wandering 
through the mazes of disconnected sentences 
and broken threads of thought is to impose 
upon good-nature. 

We have always associated John Locke, the 
author of a treatise on the '^ Human Under- 
standing," with grave and abstruse matters-. 
His amusing letter to Lady Calverley in 1703 
is relevant to this subject. 

" Madam, — Whatever reason you have to 
look on me as one of the slow men of Lon- 
don, you have given me a reason for being so ; 
for you cannot expect a quick answer to a 
letter which took me up a good deal of time 
to get to the beginning of it. I turned and 
turned it on every side ; looked at it again 
and again, at the top of every page, but could 
not get into the sense and secret of it, until I 
applied myself to the middle. You, Madam, 
who are acquainted with the skill of the 
ancients, have not, I suppose, taken up with 
this hieroglyphical way of writing for nothing, 
and since you were going to put into your 
letter things that might be the reward of the 

[ 65 ] (5) highest 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

highest merit, you would by this mystical 
intimation put me into the way of virtue to 
deserve them, etc." . . . 

The graceful beginning of a letter is an 
earnest of the contents and complimentary 
close. The forms in present use, aside from 
those of affection and familiarity, are. Sir, 
Madam, Dear Sir, Dear Madam, My dear Sir, 
My dear Madam. 

Varying opinions are given for the use of 
" Dear," and " My dear," and the degree of 
formality and intimacy implied. The English 
custom — a safe one to follow — gives "My 
dear" for formal, and " Dear" for the expres- 
sion of informal social equality. 

" Friend Will," " Kind Friend," Esteemed 
Friend," are forms that were in favor the early 
part of the nineteenth century, but are never 
used at this time. " My dear Friend," may 
be used in writing to a person older than one's 
self, when the familiarity of a given name 
might seem lacking in respect. 

The change from early form to present use 
is nowhere more observable than in the com- 
plimentary close. The precision of the old 

[ 66 ] style, 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

style, " Your obedient servant/' " I have the 
honor to be," etc., and " I remain, honored 
Sir," find expression in diplomatic circles and 
in army and navy punctiliousness ; while 
" Yours truly " has only the authority of the 
" Business College " and the " Classes for 
Business Training." 

It is always good form to write the word 
"yours " last, just before the signature, — "Very 
truly yours," "Very cordially yours," "Very 
sincerely yours," — unless some other senti- 
ment is connected with the closing phrase, 
— "I am always, dear Gertrude, your truly 
affectionate," etc. To write " Very truly " or 
" Very sincerely " without the word " yours," 
bespeaks a lack of good-breeding if not ig- 
norance of rhetorical form. " Respectfully 
yours" is not in good taste between persons 
of equal social standing. The ending of a 
letter should always be in keeping with the 
beginning. Formality of salutation requires 
formality of complimentary closing. To begin 
" My dear Madam," and end " Devotedly 
yours," hardly seems consistent. 

Without realizing an awkward form of ex- 
pression, many persons write at the close of a 

L 07 J social 



The 'Etiquette of Correspondence 

social note, " Trusting this may not find you 
engaged elsewhere, believe me, Very cordially 
yours" — or something to the same effect. 
Beginning the clause with a participle and end- 
ing it with the objective form of the pronoun 
leaves the sentence without a subject, a hardly 
admissible construction of English.' 

In relation to the words "believe me," it 
seems well to give the reason why in some 
notes the phrase begins with a capital and in 
others the capital is omitted. If the words 
" believe me " form part of the closing sentence, 
there should, of course, be no capital ; if they 
begin the closing phrase or clause, then a cap- 
ital should be used, — " With the hope I may 
soon see vou, believe me, very sincerely 
yours." " Believe me, my dear Madam, very 
sincerely yours," etc. 

A very prett)^ informal beginning of a letter 
is to introduce the name after a clause or t\\^o, 
— "You cannot imagine, my dear Gertrude, 
how happy your last letter made me," etc. 

Thackeray, in his conversational style, has a 
charm all his own in the beginning and ending 

1 Professor Hill of Harvard University dubs this form, ** the 

dangling participle." 

[ 68 ] of 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

of some of his letters, — " How long is it since 
I have written to you in my natural handwrit- 
ing, my dear Mrs. B/' 

" Yesterday's was n't a letter, you know 
Ma'am. I am so tired of penmanship," etc. 

It is in the ending of a letter that a writer 
shows ease. A graceful conclusion to even 
one page leaves, as it were, an appetite for 
more. 



[ 69 ] Chapter Seven 




Chapter ^ tb tn 

A sexless thing it was in its growth. 
It seemed to have developed no defect 
Of either sex; yet all the grace of both. — Shelley. 

ITHIN the last decade 
there has been an increase 
in clubs of every kind, — 
social, intellectual, political, 
and professional. Enter- 
prising townspeople, ambi- 
tious villagers, and the residents in large cities 
alike manifest a growing interest in organiza- 
tion for amusement or profit. It may be the 
coming together of a few congenial souls for 
mutual enjoyment, or the furthering of refining 
and christianizing influence in Church work; 
or, perhaps, the needed solution of a difficult 
social settlement problem, — whatever the im- 
mediate cause, the multiplying of clubs is an 
established fact. 

The correspondence in such associations is a 
matter of moment, not alone for a secretary, 
but for the individual member. A knowledge 
of parliamentary rules is a necessity for all 

L 7^ J organization 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

organization ; but a rule for the placing of a 
date or address, for the tactful and courteous 
note on delayed dues and pecuniary needs, 
must be evolved from the inner consciousness 
of the writer. 

It is in these particulars that parliamentary 
knowledge fails to meet the question how to 
answer an invitation to take an active part in 
a club entertainment; to serve on a commit- 
tee ; to read an original paper ; or, in fact, to 
respond to any of the little social amenities of 
written form that are the " current coin," as 
Walpole says, of association and fellowship. 

The duties of a secretary vary according to 
the size of the organization. In a club of 
limited membership, one person may be able 
to compass all the requirements of the office. 
Where the membership is not only large, but 
also widely scattered, two officers are necessary, 
— the recording secretary, " who records at the 
time of each meeting, and afterwards writes 
out in permanent form all that is done, but 
not all that is said, unless so instructed; the 
corresponding secretary, who writes all letters 
and notices upon the various subjects con- 
nected with the club." 

[ 71 ] The 



T'he Etiquette of Correspondence 

The Constitution and By-laws of every 
well-organized body clearly state the duties 
of each officer, summing up those of the secre- 
tary in such form as : — 

" It shall be the duty of the secretary — 
" a. To keep a record of all the proceed- 
ings of all meetings of the club, and all other 
matters of which a record shall be ordered by 
the club. 

b, " To notify all officers and committees of 
their election and appointment, to issue notices 
oi meetings, and, in case of special meetings, to 
add a brief note of the object of the call. 

c. " To furnish to the treasurer the names 
of new members." 

Another form is : — 

" The secretary shall give notice of all 
meetings of the club and of the board of 
managers, and shall keep the minutes of such 
meetings ; shall conduct the correspondence, 
and keep the records of the club and of the 
board of managers, and with the treasurer shall 
sign all written contracts and obligations of 
the club under the direction of the board 

[ 72 ] of 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

of managers ; and shall perform other duties 
as the board of managers shall assign to the 
secretary." 

These two forms give the required duties of 
a secretary in a college club. Sometimes the 
request is made that communications relative to 
club interests shall be sent to the college maga- 
zine or periodical. 

The by-laws of a purely social club of con- 
servative character sometimes state the duties 
of each secretary separately. 

" The corresponding secretary shall conduct 
the correspondence of the club, give all official 
notices, and prepare all ballots and blanks for 
the use of the board and club." 

" The recording secretary shall keep on file 
the full records of every meeting of the board 
and club, and report at the annual meeting." 

These extracts, taken from the Constitution 
and By-laws of some well-known successful 
clubs, emphasize the fact that a versatile pen, 
a ready wit, and an amiable disposition are 
the unnamed qualifications for the office of 
secretary. 

[ 73 ] In 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In all organizations, except the most primi- 
tive, there are printed forms with blanks for 
names and dates, for all official notices. The 
secretary has merely to fill them out and send 
to members. 

A few forms are given for suggestion in 
case a written notice is preterred : — 

A regular meeting of the X. Y. Z. Club, of 
-, will be held, as provided in By-law VI. , 



at the club rooms, Street, on Thursday, 

January 7, 1900, at two o'clock in the after- 
noon, when three members, to fill three vacan- 
cies, will be elected by ballot, as members of 
the board of managers. The order of business 
at the annual meeting will be : — 

I. Reading of the minutes. 

II. Report of the committee. 

III. Election of members of the board of 
managers. 

IV. General business. 

Mary R. Grant, 

Secretary. 

[ 7+ ] [A regular 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

fName of club, or seal, or motto, embossed 
or stamped.] 

A regular meeting of the board of mana- 
gers will be held at the residence of Mrs. 
William Brown, 1122 K. Street, at eleven 

o'clock. 

Mary R. Grant, 

Cor, Secretary, 
[Date.] 



[Name of club, monogram, etc.] 

There will be a meeting of the club on Sat- 
urday, the seventeenth of March, at three 
o'clock, at 25 Beacon Street. 

[Name of sec] 

Mr. Thomas Bailey Aldrich will be the 
guest of the club for the afternoon. 



[Club name.] 

A regular meeting of the club will be held 
at the house of Mrs. , 185 Washington 

r 75 D Avenue 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Avenue, on Wednesday, February i8 [or 
eighteenth], at 2.30 p. m. 

Subject : '^ The Increase of the Dialect 
Story." 



Essayist : Mrs. 



To be followed by general discussion. 

Mary R. Grant, 

Cor, Secretary. 



A more simple form for a very exclusive 
club is this : — 

[Club monogram.] 

Dinner for Founder's Day 
at six o'clock 
Tuesday, November twentieth. 

Essayist: Mr. 



Topic : " Shall we enlarge our Borders ? " 



c 76 ] 



Example 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Example of printed form for collection of 
club dues, etc. : — 

The X. Y. Z. Club. 

[engraved.] 

Mrs. J. W. Jones. 

To X. Y. Z. Club. 
1^5.00 dues. 

M. L. Grant, 

Secretary, 
Or, Mrs. L. G. Grant, 

'Treasurer. 



X. Y. Z. Club. 

The annual dues, ^5.00, are now payable. 
Checks should be drawn to the order of " The 
X. Y. Z. Club." 

Please remit to. 

Miss L. G. Grant [or Treas.], 

700 Madison Avenue. 



For the written and partially printed form, 
these examples are given : — 

{. TT ^ [My 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

[Club name.] 

My dear Mrs. Jones, — 

1 am instructed to inform you that you 
have been elected a member of the X. Y. Z. 
Club. 

Please let me know at your earliest con- 
venience whether you will accept or decline 
the membership. 

Very sincerely yours, 

Mary L. Grant, 

Cor, Secretary, 
Mrs. M. L. Grant, 

2 Central Park, West. 

On the reverse side of this partly printed 
form are these instructions : — 

The X. Y. Z. Club request the attention of 
proposed members to Article V. of section II. 
of the Constitution of that body, which are as 
follows : — 

Article II. Object of club. 

Article V. Qualification of membership. 

Application for membership is regarded as 
an agreement of compliance with the club 
requirements. 
. [ 78 ] In 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In all formal matters, invitations to club 
fu-nctions and elections should be engraved or 
printed. The attractive form of script is 
always in good taste, as it is an imitation of 
handwriting. There is an elegance and beauty 
in the " shaded old English " now coming into 
use, while the Roman letters are still pre- 
ferred by many for simplicity and clearness. 

A club in the suburbs of a large city should 
have added to the invitation on the reverse 
side, or on a separate card, instructions as to 
the most convenient mode of conveyance to 
the club-house, by train, boat, or carriage. 

A few examples of formal invitations are 
here given : — 

The President and Members of 

The X. Y. Z. Club 

Request the pleasure of 

Miss Sara Brown's company 

at a Reception 

to be given at The Waldorf-Astoria 

on Thursday, February ninth, 

from eight to eleven. 

The favor of an answer is requested. 

[ 79 ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

The Governors of the X. Y. Z. Club 

Request the pleasure of your company on 

Ladies' Day, 

April twenty-ninth, from 3 to 6. 

' [Member's name.] 



The X. Y. Z. Club 

Request the honor of your presence 

at a banquet given in honor of 

The Rev. Edward Everett Hale, 

Friday evening. May the ninth, 

at seven- thirty o'clock. 

Compliments of 

The honor of your company is requested at 

The Country Club, 

Thursday evening, June nineteenth, 

at eight o'clock. 

Hunt Ball. 

[Name of place.] 

Compliments of ■ 

A subscription affair has, added to the in- 
vitation form, a separate card, or engraved on 
invitation, the sentence, — 

[ 80 ] A card 



"The Bjtiquette of Correspondence 

A card admitting lady and gentleman will 
be forwarded on receipt of ^y^ dollars. Kindly 

reply before [date]. 

[Treasurer's name and title.] 



To meet 

The Bishop of Nova Scotia 

The Clerical Club 

Request the honor of 

company, 



[Place.] 
[Date.] 
[Time.] 



Engraved form of club invitation for the 
use of individual members. 

[Monogram of Club. ] 

By the request of Miss Brown — 

You are cordially invited to be present at a 
meeting of the X. Y. Z. Club, to be held at the 
residence of , on , at 

President, 

To Mrs. William JoneSo 

[ 81 ] (6) F^r 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

For all informal matters connected with club 
life there is a wide latitude, individual opinion 
largely governing the form. 

[Address.] 

My dear Mrs. Jones, — 

Will you kindly present to the club com- 
mittee my excuses for absence from the meet- 
ing of the twenty-fifth ? Preparations for a 
journey to Florida the next day caused me to 
lose another of our delightful reunions. 

Very sincerely yours, 
November the twenty-ninth. Katharine Brown. 



[Address.] 

Mrs. J. L. Jones. 
Dear Madam, — (or) 

My dear Mrs. Jones, — 

I accept with pleasure the honor of becom- 
ing an active member of the X. Y. Z. Club. 
Please present to the club my appreciation of 
the distinction conferred upon me. 

Very sincerely yours, 

T.. T T n Mary L. Brown. 

Mrs. J. L. Brown. 

November fifth. 

[ 82 ] My 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

[Address.] 

My dear Mrs. Jones, — 

It will give me pleasure to become a mem- 
ber of the X. Y. Z. Club. Kindly present my 
thanks and acceptance to the club. 

Very sincerely yours, 

[Married name.] 

[Date.] 

[Address.] 

My dear Mrs. Jones, — 

While keenly appreciating the honor con- 
ferred upon me by an election to the member- 
ship of the X. Y. Z. Club, I am obliged to 
deny myself the pleasure of such a connection, 
as a contemplated trip to Europe and a two 
years* residence abroad preclude the possibility 
of meeting all the requirements of club attend- 
ance and rules. 

Kindly convey to the president and mem- 
bers of the club my thanks for the expression 
of their good-will toward me, and my dis- 
appointment at not being able to accept the 
courtesies offered. 

Very sincerely yours, 

[Married name.] KatHARINE BrowN. 

[Date.] 
[ 83 ] An 



T^he Etiquette of Correspondence 

An answer to a request to take part in a 
club entertainment. 

[Address.] 
My dear Mrs. , — 

It will give me pleasure to serve the X. Y. Z. 

Club on the entertainment committee in any- 
capacity the club may elect 
Believe me, 

Very sincerely yours, 
[Date.] 



An acceptance with the formality of the 
" third person " form of address : — 

Mrs. M. L. Grant, 

Cor. Secretary of the X. Y. Z. Club. 

^Irs. J. L. Brown, appreciating the honor 
conferred upon her by her election to the 
X. Y. Z. CJub, accepts with pleasure, and 
binds herself to all the duties of membership. 
November tenth (or) 
November lo, 1900. 

Address, if engraved, at top of page; if not, 
written above date. 

[ 84 ] An 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

An informal request to take part in a club 
meeting, with the answer in the same informal 
vein. 

[Address.] (Club paper.) 

My dear Mrs. Brown, — 

A meeting of congenial souls, who come 
together to discuss club interests, will be held 
at my house on Thursday afternoon, at three 
o'clock. 

It would give me much pleasure if you 
would come and join us. Perhaps you might 
be moved to speak in meeting and give us the 
benefit of your valuable suggestions. 

Believe me, with kind regards, 

Very cordially yours, 

[Personal address.] MaRY L. GranT. 

[Date.] 



[Address.] 
My dear Mrs. Grant, — 

It is always my pleasure to join congenial 
souls wherever gathered, and when the gather- 
ing is under your hospitable roof I have a 

[ 85 ] double 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

double incentive to be present. Count among 
the number on Thursday afternoon, at three 
o'clock. 

Yours most sincerely, 

[Date.] Cornelia Brown. 



These two notes of request are given as 
examples of the form often used. 

[Address.] 

My dear Mrs. Grant, — 

May I have two cards of admission to the 
Thursday Reading of the X. Y. Z. Club ? I 
am anxious to bring two guests, to whom I 
wish to give the pleasure of listening to so 
delightful a reader as Miss . 

With the hope I am not trespassing upon 
the privileges of a member, believe me. 

Very sincerely yours, 
[Date.] 

Request in third person. 

Will Miss Grant kindly send to Mrs. R. L. 
Jones, 25 Euclid Avenue, two cards of admis- 

L 86 ] sion 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 

sion to the club concert on Thursday, April 
fifth, for which find enclosed Mrs. Jones's 
cheque for ten dollars. 

[Residence.] 
[Date.] 

These examples of invitation forms and 
notes have been given for help and suggestion 
to amateur clubs. 



[ 87 ] Chapter Eight 




Chapter d^tgftt 

Remember courtesy is the due of man to man^ not of suit 
of clothes to suit of clothes. — Carlyle. 

LL letters, notes of cere- 
mony and compliment in 
professional and diplomatic 
life, have a prescribed form 
for salutation and compli- 
mentary closing. In many 
cases the form, like that of club organizations, 
is engraved or printed. 

In diplomatic, military, and naval circles this 
form is rigidly adhered to, and very little lati- 
tude for individual preference is given. 

The language used is the language of the 
only court etiquette to be found in this coun- 
try of ignored class distinctions. Diplomatic 
life is the one plane of ceremonial form on 
which the old and the new world meet with 
the punctiliousness of long-established custom. 
As official civility is never intended for a 
personal compliment, all social matters are 
addressed to the office, not to the individual. 
In all letters of ceremony abbreviations of 

[ 88 ] titles 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

titles and office — with few exceptions ^— are 
not considered good form : " To The Presi- 
dent of the United States," "To The Sec- 
retary of War." No surname is needed; 
there is but one President, but one Secretary 
of War. 

In conversation, the President is addressed 
as " Mr. President ; " by foreigners, as " Your 
Excellency." In writing, the form of saluta- 
tion should be : " Mr. President, Sir ; " or, 
" To His Excellency, the President of the 
United States." The complimentary closing 
may be varied from, " I have the honor to be 
Your Excellency's most obedient Servant," " I 
have the honor to subscribe myself," etc., to, 
" I am. Sir, your most obedient Servant," " I 
am most respectfully yours." The superscrip- 
tion should be : — 

To His Excellency, 

The President of the United States, 

Executive Mansion, 

Washington, D. C. 
Or, 

To The President of the United States, 
Washington, D. C. 
[ 89 ] An 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

An invitation of a social nature from the 
President of the United States is by courtesy 
equal to a command. All other engagements 
must be waived in preference, — the one in- 
stance in social etiquette where an invitation or 
engagement may be revoked. Illness or 
calamity in the family circle are the only 
excuses to be offered ; these should be frankly 
stated, rather than the mere formal expressions 
of regret. 

Letters addressed to presidents of colleges 
and institutions have the title written after the 
name : — 

To William F. Brown, Esq., 

President of the National Bank. 

To Prof Arthur T. Hadley, 

President of Yale University. 

The order of priority of office in civil gov- 
ernment, representing the executive, law, and 
people, is : The President^ the Vice-President, 
Chief Justice, and Speaker. 

Ambassadors from foreign countries come 
next in distinction, taking precedence in the 
following order: — 

L 9^ J I. Ambassadors 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

I. Ambassadors, Legates, Nuncios. 

II. Ministers and other persons accredited 
to sovereigns. 

III. Charges d'affaires, accredited to minis- 
ters of foreign affairs only. 

Ambassadors, Legates, and Nuncios have 
representative character. Diplomatic agents 
on extraordinary missions have not, on that 
account, any superiority of rank. 

The form of address is often in accordance 
with the individual title : " Sir Julian Paunce- 
fote," English Ambassador ; " Comte Cassini," 
Russian Ambassador ; " Baron de Fava," 
Italian representative ; and the minister from 
Turkey, "Ali Ferrough Bey." Aside from 
personal titles, it is perfectly correct to ad- 
dress a member of the foreign legation in the 
United States as " Your Excellency " or " His 
Excellency." When there is no individual 
distinction the custom is to use the word 
" Honorable," with the rank added after the 
surname : — 

The Honorable Joseph H. Choate, 

Ambassador to the Court of St. James. 

[ 91 ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

The Cabinet, representing in a measure the 
family of the President, stand next in order of 
rank to the Ambassadors. The ladies of the 
Cabinet, however, come next to the wife of the 
President. The members of the Cabinet are 
addressed by their titles, with that of Hon- 
orable added, — 

To The Honorable, the Secretary of State. 

The addition of the surname would be 
superfluous. 

The form of an invitation from a member 
of the Cabinet would be, — 

The Secretary of State and Mrs. Hay 
request the honor, etc. 

The form of salutation easily suggests itself, 
— " Sir," or " Dear Sir,*' — the former being 
less familiar. " I have the honor to be — " or, 
" Very respectfully yours," or any complimen- 
tary close implying respect for the office as 
well as for the man. 

The priority of rank in the Cabinet is : — 

The Secretary of State, 
The Secretary of War, 

L 9^ J Attorney-General 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

Attorney-General, 
Postmaster-General, 
Secretary of Navy, 
Secretary of Interior, 
Secretary of Agriculture, etc. 

The Vice-President should be addressed as 
" Mr. Vice-President," the same order fol- 
lowing for salutation and complimentary clos- 
ing that has been given for Cabinet officials 
and others ; the Chief- Justice, as " Mr. Chief- 
Justice, Sir." The associate justices of the 
Supreme Court are familiarly spoken of and 
addressed as, " Mr. Justice," with the surname 
added. The form of superscription should 
be : — 

To The Hon. J. B. Brown, 

Justice of Supreme Court, 

United States, etc. 

The form of salutation, "Mr. Justice, Sir," 
and the complimentary closing, " I have the 
honor to be," etc. 

Judges in all other courts below the State 
Supreme Court are addressed as Honorable. 

[ 93 ] This 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

This much-used, much-abused title is, in a 
Republic, largely a matter of courtesy. To 
quote from Professor Davidson's helpful little 
book, " The Correspondent " : " It is accorded 
to the Vice-President of the United States ; to 
members of Congress ; to judges, from the 
Chief-Justice of the United States down to 
the lowest grade of law judges ; to foreign 
ministers and envoys that have no other title 
of distinction ; to our own representatives 
abroad of the first and second grade ; to Cab- 
inet officers ; to State, Colonial, and Terri- 
torial Governors and Lieutenant-Governors ; 
to Heads of Departments generally : to State 
Senators, and to State Senates collectively ; to 
Speakers of State Houses of Representatives 
and Houses of Delegates; as well as to 
Mayors of cities." 

The title " Mr.," written always in the 
abbreviated form, is universal in a country 
where its synonym — man — has all the 
dignity that the individual gives it. Though 
the most unassuming of all titles, it has the 
grace of association with names that have given 
character to its very simplicity : Mr. Webster, 
Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Gladstone. Derived from 

[ 94 ] ^^ 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

the Latin word magister, it oddly enough takes 
the plural form of the French word Messieurs, 
contracted to " Messrs/' 

Between the use of " Mr/' and " Esquire '' 
there is generally this distinction made : " Mr." 
applies to all classes, high and low, while 
" Esquire " is confined to social life or to 
people of prominence. It is the synonym for 
gentleman. In England it is the accepted 
term for all untitled owners of landed estates, 
barristers at law, mayors, commissioned offi- 
cers in army and navy, and professional men. 
" Mr." precedes the surname, " Esq." always 
follows it. 

The form of salutation, " My dear Mr. 
Brown ; " the superscription on the envelope, 
" A. B. Brown, Esq." It is good form in all 
social correspondence between equals to use 
the title of " Esq." in the address. 

Governors of States are addressed generally 
by the title of " Excellency," though the legal 
right to such a form belongs in two States 
only, — South Carolina and Massachusetts. 
The title is accorded by courtesy to the office, 
in every State. " To His Excellency the Gov- 
ernor of New York ; " or simply, " To His 

r oc '1 Excellency 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Excellency the Governor." Salutation : " Sir/' 
or " Your Excellency ; " familiarly, " My dear 

Governor R " 

With the Mayors of cities the word " Hon- 
orable " is used. 

The Hon. A B 

Mayor of N Y 

Salutation: "Sir," and "Your Honor." 

That there may be no breach of discipline 
in military or naval etiquette, careful instruc- 
tions are given, not only for the exact phrasing 
of the written communication, but for the 
paper, its size and quality, color of ink, shape 
when folded, and mode of superscription. 
Deviation from these instructions entails some 
form of discipline. Rigid observance of rank 
distinctions is insisted upon. 

All army officers above the grade of Lieuten- 
ant should be addressed by their specific title 
and rank. This may be above the salutation 
or in the superscription : — 

General Henry C. Corbin, 
Adjutant-General, 

United States Army. 

[ 96 ] "Sir" 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

" Sir '* would be an official form of address ; 
" My dear General," after the title for an in- 
formal note, or for one of intimacy. The same 
rule applies for all officers of rank. The 
titles should, however, never be abbreviated. 
" My dear Gen'l ; " or " Lieut. Col.," instead 
of " Lieutenant Colonel ; " " Asst. Adjt.- 
Gen'l." for " Assistant Adjutant-General." 
When the officer is in command the address 
should indicate the fact. 

To Major-General Nelson A. Miles, 
Commanding Officer, 

(or) Commanding the Army of the U. S., 

(or) Commander-in-chief, 

Army of the United States, 

Washington, D. C. 

(or) Headquarters of the 

Army of the United States, etc. 

The war office established the custom of 
addressing the office, not the man. 

To The General in command of 

The Army of the United States, etc. 

r 97 ] (7) Officers 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

Officers holding geographical departments 
are addressed : — 

The Commanding Officer, 

26 U. S. Infantry, etc. 

Not "Colonel commanding 26th U. S. 

Infantr>^" 

Asst. Adjutant-General, 

3d Brigade, 2d Division, 

Tampa, 

Florida, 

would be the form, the personal name omitted. 

The same rule should be observed with any 
officer in command, — a major, colonel, cap- 
tain, or lieutenant. In major and lieutenant 
there are allowable abbreviations. 

The rank of lieutenant differs in army and 
navy, and in England and America. 

In England no officer below the grade of 
captain is permitted to use his military title 
outside of army life ; it is laid aside with his 
uniform, and in private life he assumes the 
title of " Mr," or is termed " Esq." In this 
country the form of " Lieut." is common. 

r q8 1 Non-commissioned 



The Fjtiquette of Correspondence 

Non-commissioned officers in the volunteer 
army keep their titles, even when no longer 
under military discipline. 

The navy, in England, takes precedence ; in 
the United States, especially since the Spanish 
War, the navy takes equal rank with the army. 
Naval etiquette is, if anything, more punctil- 
ious ; the discipline for infringement of estab- 
lished law more severe. Letters addressed to 
line or staff officers should have the name of 
the particular squadron or fleet, as well as that 
of the vessel, and the distinction of her class, — 
Battleship, Cruiser, or Torpedo Boat. 

In the navy, all grades of rank under that 
of commander are addressed by the title of 
the grade, or simply by the term " Mr." with 
the initials U. S. N. after the surname. 

Clerical titles vary with the form of Church 
government as well as with the order of 
degree. 

In the Anglican, American Episcopal, and 
Roman Catholic churches, the titles. Arch- 
bishop, Bishop, Dean, Canon, Rector, Vicar, 
and Curate are used, with the exception 
that in the American Episcopacy there is no 

[^ 99 ] office 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

office of Archbishop. The form of address 
and salutation for each is : — 

Archbishop (in Anglican order) — 

My Lord (or) My Lord Archbishop. 

May it please your Grace. 

To His Grace the Lord Archbishop, 

(or) The Most Reverend 

Lord Archbishop of Q 

In the Roman Catholic order : — 

Most Reverend and Respected Sir. 

Most Reverend and dear Sir. 

To The Most Reverend Archbishop C 

To The Most Reverend 

Archbishop of 



A Bishop (American and Roman Catholic 
form) — 

Right Reverend and dear Sir. 

To The Rt. Rev d 

Bishop of 



In the Methodist Church a Bishop prefers 
the simple title of " Reverend." 

[ lOO ] The 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

The Church of England has a more formal 
style of address : — 

My Lord (or) My Lord Bishop. 

To The Rt. Rev'd the Lord Bishop of — 

Should the Bishop be a peer of the realm, 
his title of rank is often added. There are 
several allowable forms of salutation for a 
Bishop, according to the degree of station and 
intimacy : — 

Rt. Rev'd and dear Sir. 

Rt. Reverend and dear Bishop. 

My dear Bishop 

The word " Venerable " is placed before the 
name of the Archdeacon, — 

The Venerable A B 



Archdeacon of 
Salutation : Rev'd Sir. 



In the Roman Catholic order he is often 
addressed as, — 

Venerable Father, (or) Venerable Sir. 

[ lOI ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

The office is between that of a Bishop and 
a Deacon. In old canon law it is called the 
" Eye of the Bishop," and in some ecclesiasti- 
cal records the " Heart of the Bishop." In 
the vernacular of to-day, " The Bishop's right- 
hand man, or deputy." 

The offices of Dean and Canon are asso- 
ciated with a cathedral chapter. 

Dean [Decanus), from the fact that he was 
set over ten Canons. 

The title is often applied to the chief office 
in certain peculiar churches or chapels ; as, in 
England, "The Dean of King's Chapel," 
" The Dean of St. George's Chapel at Wind- 



sor." 



The title is also used in some universities 
and colleges to denote the head of a Faculty, 
or the officer whose duty it is to look after the 
moral and religious welfare of the students ; 
while in some institutions the office has be- 
come that of mere Registrar or Secretary. 

The ecclesiastical form of salutation is : — 

Very Rev'd and dear Sir, 
(or) Reverend and dear Sir, 
(or) Mr. Dean. 

[ I02 ] The 



T*he Rtiquette of Correspondence 

The address : — 

To The Very Reverend Dean of 



(or) To The Rev. Dean of 

In a College or University simply 

Dean A B-- — 

(or) To Prof. A. B Dean of- 



Canon, as a title, is given to the person 
who possesses a prebend, — a revenue allotted 
for the performance of divine service in a 
cathedral or a collegiate church. A Canon 
is, properly speaking, an office in a cathedral. 
The Canons with the Dean and Bishop, form 
the chapter of a cathedral. 

There are also Honorary and minor Canons. 
The form of address, when used, is the same 
in all denominations : — 

To Canon D 



The Hon. Canon B. C — of B 

(or) The Reverend B. C 

Rectors, Vicars, and Curates, as well as 
ordained ministers and priests, have the title of 
Reverend and " Reverend Father : " — 

[ 103 ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



The Rev'd A. B- 



Rector of 



(or) The Reverend Father B 

Rector of 

The salutation : Reverend and dear Sir, (or) 
Reverend and dear Father, (or, simply) My 
dear Mr. B 

The word " Reverend " either with or with- 
out the addition of " Very," or " Most,'' is 
used for all the clergy below the degree of 
Pope and Cardinal. It should never be used 
before a surname only. " The Reverend 
Smith " is hardly a title of respect. If the 
initials of the Christian name cannot be used, 
the better form is, " The Rev. Mr. Smith." 

Titles outside of purely Protestant orders 
are, in the Roman Catholic Church : — 

The Pope, addressed always as 

His Holiness the Pope. 

To Our Most Holy Father, 

Pope Leo the Thirteenth. 

Salutation : Most Holy Father, (or) Your 
Holiness. 

r 104 1 A Cardiaal — 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

A Cardinal — 

His Eminence Cardinal G 



To His Eminence the Most Reverend 
Cardinal G \ b '^ & X\. S 

Salutation : Most Eminent and Most Rev- 
erend Sir, (or) Your Eminence. 



Monsignor — 

To The Rt. Reverend Monsignor A- 
(or) The Rt. Rev d A. B 



with the grade of rank added, of which there 
are three. 

The title is conferred by the Pope upon 
eminent divines for special reasons. It ranks 
next below a Bishop. 

Salutation : Right Reverend Sir, (or) Right 
Reverend Monsignor, (or, familiarly) My dear 
Monsignor. 

Vicar-General — 

Superscription : Very Reverend A. B — 

Vicar-General of 

Salutation : Very Reverend Sir. 

[ 105 ] The 



The Ktiqiiette of Corresporidence 

The form oi complimentary closing of all 
letters to Church dignitaries varies ven^ little. 
In formal communications the repetition of the 
title adds to the dignity- of the closing sentence. 
In informal ones^ the suggestion of the paro- 
chial relation is graceful and always admissible, 
particularly in letters to Prelates in the Roman 
Church. 

In the Jewish Church even' ordained priest 
is called " Rabbi," and in this country is 
addressed as ^^ Reverend." 

There seems to be no one distinctive form 
of title common to all religious orders. Each 
order establishes a form suited to its particular 
need and traditions. 

In the Roman Catholic institutions, " The 
Ladies of The Sacred Heart " are always ad- 
dressed as ^^ Madam," with the addition of the 
surname of the individual member. 

This is the proper torm of address, except 
for members of the order, who alone make 
the distinction in the use of " Mother Supe- 
rior," ^' Reverend Mother," " Mother Vicar." 

For ^^ Sisters of Charity," " Sisters of 
Mercv," the name given in religion, with the 
prefix " Mother," or " Sister," is preferred. 

[ ic6 ] In 



'The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In the Protestant Episcopal Sisterhoods the 
distinctions are Reverend Mother, Mother, 
Sister Superior, and Sister. Sister Superior, 
for a department of work ; Mother Superior, 
for a distinct order of Sisterhood. The same 
title is used by the world and the members of 
the order. 

The designation " Professor," like that of 
" Honorable,'' is often misapplied. A proud 
possessor of many degrees, the tangible 
recognition of years of study and research, has 
titular rank with an aspiring chiropodist or 
popular dancing-master. A professorship, 
however, cannot be a matter of choice, like a 
profession ; the right to the title must be con- 
ferred by the proper authorities in some char- 
tered educational institution. Sometimes the 
title is given through courtesy to specialists in 
science as well as in education. The abbre- 
viated form " Prof" is usually used in the 
superscription, " Prof. D B ." 

When there are other degrees they may be 
combined. 

Dr. E. F. Jones, Professor of — , 

C college. 

[ 107 ] In 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In writing to a physician the title should 
come before the surname, or the initials 
denoting the degree^ afterwards : " Charles F. 
Jones, M.D." ; or, " Dr. Charles F. Jones." 

All scholastic degrees are abbreviated. Ex- 
cept in educational matters, and in catalogues, 
a number of initials for several degrees are 
seldom added to a name. To write, "John 
Jones, Esq., Ph.D., LL.D., seems rather pre- 
tentious for good taste. 

When the word Junior — abbreviated to 
" Jun." or " Jr.,'' preferably the latter form — 
is added to a son's name to distinguish it from 
that of his father, the junior becomes part of 
the name and is used with all titles. 

"John Jones, Jr., M.D." 

Since women have entered the business 
world on an equal footing with men the ques- 
tion as to the proper form of addressing them 
is often asked. 

The word " Madam " for any lady, young 
or old, is universal. To call a lady " Mrs." 
or " Miss " without a name after the title is to 
betray ignorance of the commonest form of 
civility. 

[ io8 ] "My 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

" My dear Madam" may, with perfect pro- 
priety, be the beginning of a letter to a lady of 
sixteen or sixty years. 

When two married women enter into a busi- 
ness partnership, the proper form of address 
is an unanswered query. To write " Mes- 
dames," the plural form of Madam, is not 
English, nor is the contraction Mmes., yet no 
other form is known, except to give each name 
separately, — "Mrs. Black and Mrs. White," 
or " Mmes. Black and White." With unmar- 
ried ladies the problem is easily solved, as the 
title " Miss " has a regularly formed plural, 
— "The Misses Black and White." The 
word " Miss," is a contraction of the word 
" Mistress." Up to 1760 the titles " Mrs." and 
" Mistress " were applied to elderly spinsters. 



[ 1 09 3 Chapter Nine 



€ftnpttv i n t 



~- Life is not so short but there is always time enough for 
*^'^T(\H\'Uffv — Emerson. 




HOUGH this little volume 
does not treat of card eti- 
quette in relation to calls 
and social functions, it is not 
out of place to refer to the 
graceful custom of writing 
on a card, in lieu of the more formal note- 
sheet, a kindly greeting or message, — but only 
a message, not an epistle. 

How much more enjoyment is felt in a gift 
if a card accompanies it, expressing the good 
wishes and kind thoughts of the sender ! The 
query as to the propriety of drawing a pencilled 
line through the engraved name is easily 
answered. The relationship of the giver 
to the receiver of the card should govern 
the matter. To send to a friend or equal in 
social station a gift with a visiting card on 
which an expression of good-will has been 

written, and to have the engraved name the 
[ no ] only 



The Bjtiquette of Correspondence 

only signature, is not in keeping with the 
instincts of good breeding ; particularly if 
the friend is on such terms of intimacy that 
the Christian name of the giver is always used. 
To write, " With the love and best wishes of 
Mrs. James Brown," when the receiver of 
the " love and best wishes '* always addresses 
" Mrs. James Brown," as " Louise," is in 
questionable taste. 

Or when a young person sends to an elderly 
friend a pretty token of affection, and yet has 
never been called familiarly by her given name, 
it is a tactful piece of courtesy to draw a line 
through the " Miss Mary B. Jones," and sign 
the initials. "A little trifle for my dear Mrs. 
Brown, with the love of M. B. J." 

In more formal matters, where a word of 
greeting or explanation has been pencilled 
or penned by a mere acquaintance, no line 
should be drawn through the engraved name. 

For days " At Home," visiting cards are 
often used, the day and hour written in the 
lower left-hand corner. Or, when a hostess 
desires to call her friends together to meet a 
guest in an informal way at an afternoon tea, she 
may write over the engraved name on her card, 

[ III ] **To 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

" To meet Miss Blank," inscribing below the 
date and hour. 

Visiting cards may take the place of a formal 
note, in many instances, in introducing a friend 
for whom one has previously asked the favor. 
In such a case the card should simplv have 
" Introducing Mr. Brown." The gentleman 
could then send the card of introduction with 
his own personal card, on making the call, 
and thus avoid the embarrassment of awkward 
recognition. 

Again, in sending tickets for some enter- 
tainment, theatre, or opera, a card may be 
used for explanation ; it quickly identifies the 
sender : — 

" Dear Nina, can you use the enclosed ? 
We have an unexpected dinner engagement. 

Hastily yours — M. B. J.'' 

Here the engraved name should have a line 
drawn through it. 

If flowers are to be sent to friends who are 
starting for Europe, it is pleasant to add a 
word to the formality of the card attached, — 
" Bon Voyage ; '* or, " With loving wishes for a 
delightful trip.** In a less formal way, if sent 

[ 112 ] with 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

with a more useful gift, the written message 
may have the famihar title added. Among 
the many gifts once sent to a popular lady 
on her first trip across the Atlantic, none 
touched her more than a stiff white glazed 
card, on which was written in a labored hand, 
— " Please, ma-am, I hope the good Lord will 
go before you and behind you and bring you 
back safely, your old servant, Kate." The 
hope must have reached the Judge of all good 
intentions, for an atmosphere of peace and 
safety seemed to surround the wanderer. 

It is a thoughtful custom on leaving a place 
where gracious courtesies have been shown, 
or even on leaving the town house for the 
country home, to send cards to one's friends, 
writing in the lower left-hand corner " P. p. c," 
letters that stand for the sentence, " Pour 
prendre conge ; " literally, " To take leave ; " 
socially interpreted, " To say good-by." 

Cards may also be written on when left at 
the house of a friend in deep affliction. This 
is perfectly admissible where the intimacy does 
not warrant a more personal form in letter or 
speech, — " Deepest sympathy," or '' Tender 
sympathy," or any brief phrase indicative of 

r 113 ~\ (8) interest 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

interest. It is often found convenient to write 
upon a card a request to visit a studio or any 
semi-public place. The words, " Admitting 
Mrs. Jones/* may be written above or below 
the engraved name. 

A little note of request may be written on 
a visiting card, as the name and address help 
to identify the person asking the favor : — 

" Please allow Mrs. M. B. Jones to see the 
Club House and all its new appointments." 

To an artist another form of request may be 
written : — 

" Dear H., — 

Will you extend the courtesies of the Studio 
to my friend, Mrs. M. B. Jones, who is an 
ardent admirer of your brush ? 

J. B." 

In this case the request is better placed upon 
the back of the card, the engraved name on 
the face of it left untouched. 

Distance and the throng of business en- 
gagements have brought into social use the 
convenience of the telegram for congratulations, 

r 1 1 4. 1 condolences, 



T'he Etiquette of Correspondence 

condolences, invitations, and various expres- 
sions of interest. 

The form of the message is governed by the 
wishes and taste of the sender. The very- 
fact that a telegram is the medium of commun- 
ication suggests the exclusion of all personal 
detail and sentiment. In the desire to confine 
the despatch to ten words, care should be 
taken to avoid a peremptory or brusque 
expression, which could only be excused in 
a purely business form. 

With postal cards, called in England post 
cards, the same advice in regard to private 
items of individual interest might be followed. 
It is not strictly good form to have either a 
salutation or complimentary closing on a pos- 
tal card. The informality of such a message 
does not call for the phrases of mere courtesy. 
A mass of personal detail confidingly in- 
trusted to the back of a postal card is seldom 
the expression of a well-bred person. If not 
objectionable to the instincts of the writer, 
consideration should be shown for the prefer- 
ences of the receiver of a postal card. 

It seems almost superfluous to add the 
instructions of the post-office officials that 

[115] " postal 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

" postal cards bearing on their face or address 
side any message or part of a message, or any 
writing or printing other than is necessary to 
insure their proper delivery, are held to be 
unmailable matter, and will be returned to the 
senders." 

The craze for illustrated and musical postal 
cards has, however, required the reiteration of 
this rule. 



r 1 1 6 ] Chapter Ten 




€ ft n p t t V W t n 

There is occasion and cause^ a why and a wherefore in 
all things. — Shakespeare. 

ETTERS in the third per- 
son or to inferiors are more 
puzzling to write than any- 
other kind. To preserve 
the just mean between dignity 
and civility requires worldly 
knowledge and good judgment. In a short 
note it is not difficult ; the style lends itself 
to clearness and conciseness : but for long 
familiar letters the colloquial form of the first 
person is better adapted to prevent confusion 
of ideas. 

In any epistle, however, where the use of the 
third person is preferred, care should be taken 
to preserve the form through the entire com- 
munication. To write " Mrs. Brown would 
like Messrs. B. Altman & Co. to rectify the 
error in her account rendered May first, and 
to send corrected bill to me at your earliest 
convenience,'* would be to violate a rule in 
rhetoric and to destroy the effect of unity in 

[117] the 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

the composition. " Mrs. Brown would like 
Messrs. B. Altman & Co. to rectify the error 
in her account rendered May first, and to send 
corrected bill to her address at their earliest 
convenience/* etc., preserves the same form 
throughout the letter. 

The Order Department of any large Dry 
Goods House receives in the daily mail re- 
markable specimens of this mode of expression 
to the perplexity of more than one clerk. It 
is somewhat of a surprise that so few mistakes 
are made in filling orders. 

For the appropriate use of notes in the third 
person a few suggestions are here given. 

In accepting or declining a formal invitation, 
the third person is always used, and the words 
of the invitation concerning the date, day, and 
hour are repeated. 

" Mr. and Mrs. Brown accept with pleasure 
Mrs. Jones's kind invitation to dine, Friday, 
November the tenth, at eight o'clock," (or) 

" Mr. and Mrs. Brown regret that a previous 
engagement prevents [not will prevent] the 
acceptance of Mrs. Jones's very kind invita- 

[ Il8 ] tion 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

tion to dine Friday, November the tenth, at 
eight o'clock." Date and day, not year, to be 
written in lower left-hand corner. 

Not only in invitations, acceptances, and 
regrets are notes in the third person proper, 
but also in brief and formal communications 
between persons who have never met, or are 
but slightly acquainted ; also between those of 
unequal social or official position. 

" Miss Jones returns to Miss Brown the 
book she so kindly loaned, and begs leave to 
express her appreciation of Miss Brown's 
patience in waiting for a book so long out of 
her possession." In this case there is civility 
and apology. 

" Will Miss Brown give Mr. Jones the 
pleasure of her company in a drive through 
the Park to-morrow afternoon at any hour 
agreeable to her ? " is a form not too familiar, 
yet indicative of respect and courtesy. 

" Miss Smith regrets that absence from home 

deprived her of the pleasure of making Mr. 

Jones's acquaintance. She hopes that he will 
[ 119 ] be 



"The Fjtiqiiette of Correspo?idence 

be able to call Thursday or Friday evening, 
when she will be happy to receive him/' would 
be a graceful acknowledgment of a card of in- 
troduction that failed to accomplish its mission. 

In sending a messenger for a book from a 
library, this form might be used : 

" Will Miss Hunter please send to Miss 
Grey, by the bearer, the first volume of 
' Stevenson's Letters/ crediting the same on 
^liss Grey's card r " or, " Will Miss Hunter 
please credit Miss Grey with the return of 
Volume 785. T. and 2"^'e to the bearer of 
this note some recent work on nature study ? " 

To the proprietors of a hotel : 

'^ Will Messrs. Brown & Green direct Miss 
M. B. Jones's maid to the rooms engag^ed for 
rvliss Jones's use r " or, ^'' Will Messrs. Brown 
& Green have the enclosed tags tied on ^liss 
Jones's luggage and send same at earliest con- 
venience to address given r " 

In business letters the third person is often 

used to avoid repetition of names and 

addresses. 

[ 120 ] "wm 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

" Will Messrs. Lord & Taylor kindly send 
enclosed order by return mail, charging same 
to the account of 

Miss M. B. Jones, 

St. George, 
Staten Island." 

The order should be written on a separate 
sheet, or below the signature. The date in this 
note should be at the top of the sheet. 

To a dressmaker the use of the third person 
is sometimes preferred, though the more direct 
form is better for clearness. 

1257 Prince Street, 

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1899. 

Mrs. Livingston sends herewith the lace 
required for Miss Livingston's gown, and 
hopes that Madam Blank will not fail to have 
the gown finished and sent home by Monday 
afternoon. Should another fitting be required. 
Madam Blank will please send word by bearer, 
appointing the time. 

To Madam Blank, 

223 Chestnut Hill. 

Bearer will wait. 

r 121 1 New York 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

New York, 

March 15, 1900. 

Will Madam Basque please send samples 
of light gray novelty goods suitable for spring 
wear ; also designs for street costumes, with 
Madam Basque's charges for making the same? 

^^ Mrs. M. B. Brown, 

Englewood, New Jersey. 

Letters to an inferior require tact and expe- 
rience, the relationship of official or servant 
largely determining the form. A safe guide 
to follow is to use the same style of address in 
writing that is used in speaking to the person. 
A man or woman who has been for years in 
the service of one family or corporation should 
be addressed in a manner indicative of regard. 
" Dear Mary " would be more natural than 
" Mary Foley," etc. 

Hotel Los Angeles, Cahfornia, 

March 18, 1899. 
Dear Wilson, 

Mrs. Livingston wishes me to write and tell 
you that we have altered our plans somewhat, 
and hope to be home by the middle of next 

[ 122 ] month, 



The Bjtiquette of Correspondence 

month, about three weeks earlier than we first 

intended. This will give you plenty of time 

to get the house in order for us. We will let 

you know in due season the exact day and 

hour of our arrival. We are having a pleasant 

trip, but shall not be sorry to be back again in 

our comfortable home. I hope you have all 

had a good rest and have kept well during our 

absence. 

Your affectionate 

Miss Marion. 

(or) Yours very truly, 

M. B. Livingston. 
Mrs. Jane Wilson, 

Care of Morris Livingston, Esq. 

In a letter to a servant or inferior the sign- 
ing of the name with the title is in good taste, 
the only instance, except in the use of the third 
person, when it is admissible. 

A letter to a servant, written in the third 
person : — 

" Mrs. Livingston, of 22 Central Park West, 
would like Mary Foley to come to her house 
on Thursday morning at half-past eight." 

[ 123 ] This 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



This form, however, is only used where a 
servant is more or less of a stranger to her 
mistress. 

Mr. John Locke, in his book on "The 
Art of Correspondence," gives a copy of a letter 
written by Her Majesty Queen Victoria to 
Mr. George Peabody while he was in England, 
in 1866. It is an admirable example of the 
proper mode of addressing an inferior in social 
station. 

" Windsor Castle, 

March 28, 1866. 

The Queen hears that Mr. Peabody intends 
shortly to return to America : and she would 
be sorry that he should leave England without 
being assured by herself how deeply she ap- 
preciates the noble act, of more than princely 
munificence, by which he has sought to relieve 
the wants of her poorer subjects residing in 
London. It is an act, as the Queen believes, 
wholly without parallel, and will carry its best 
reward in the consciousness of having con- 
tributed so largely to the assistance of those 
who can little help themselves. The Queen 
would not, however, seem satisfied without 
giving Mr. Peabody some public mark of her 

r 1 24 1 sense 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

sense of his munificence : and she would have 
gladly conferred upon him either a baronetcy 
or the Grand Cross of the Order of Bath, but 
that she understands Mr. Peabody to feel 
himself debarred from accepting such distinc- 
tions. It only remains, therefore, for the 
Queen to give Mr. Peabody this assurance of 
her personal feelings, which she would further 
wish to mark by asking him to accept a minia- 
ture portrait of herself, which she will desire to 
have painted for him, and which, when finished, 
can either be sent to him in America, or given 
to him on the return, which she rejoices to 
hear he meditates, to the country that owes 
him so much." 

Through the courtesy of the Century Com- 
pany we are permitted to quote a charming 
note of" Lewis Carroll's " (Rev. C. L. Dodg- 
son) to the members of the Fourth Class of 
the Girls' Latin School in Boston. They 
started a magazine which they named "The 
Jabberwock," first asking Mr. Carroll's per- 
mission to use the title. 

" Mr. Lewis Carroll has much pleasure in 
giving to the editors of the proposed magazine 

r 125 ~\ permission 



T*he Etiquette of Correspondence 

permission to use the title they wish for. He 
finds that the Anglo-Saxon word * wocer/ or 
' wocor/ signifies offspring or fruit. Taking 
'jabber ' in its ordinary acceptance of * excited 
and voluble discussion/ this would give the 
meaning ' the result of much excited discus- 
sion.* Whether this phrase will have any 
application to the proposed periodical will be 
for the future historians of American Litera- 
ture to determine. Mr. Carroll wishes all 
success to the forthcoming magazine." 



r 126 1 Chapter Eleven 



€hupttv (^Ithtn 




Talk of nothing but business^ and despatch that business 
quickly, Aldus & Co. [Motto over door of Printing Office.] 

ERE brevity the soul of a 
business letter as well as 
of wit, much time and 
patience would be saved ! 
Gracefully turned phrases 
and personal details are most 
objectionable in a business communication. 
" Be brief, be specific," is the sensible advice 
of a university professor. The stenographer 
and type-writer have proved a blessing in 
disguise, for the need of rapid dictation has 
developed a terse and simple form of expres- 
sion which has been of incalculable benefit to 
the business world. 

In letters of a business character it is well to. 
keep in mind a few essential points : — 

Legibility of date, address, and signature; 
short sentences, and brevity of subject-matter; 
the date and writer's address at the head of the 
letter-sheet ; the address of the individual or 

[ 127 ] firm; 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 



firm ; the salutation, " Dear Sir," or " My dear 
Sir/* or " Gentlemen," below the letter head. 

PiTTSFiELD, Berkshire Co., Mass. 

June 17, 1900. 
Park & Tilford, 

Broadway &: 21st Street, New York. 
Gentlemen, — Please send via American 
Express N. Y. C. & H. R., the enclosed order, 
and charge the same to the account of 

Mrs. Charles P. Brown, 

High Street, 
[Enclose order.] Pittsfield. 

The superscription on the envelope should 
be: — 

Messrs. Park & Tilford, 

Broadway & 21st Street, 

New York City, 

New York. 

To ladies unaccustomed to business meth- 
ods, the signature is often a puzzling question, 
— when and when not to sign the married 
name ; how to distinguish sex, when initials are 
used before the surname. Never, except in the 

[ 128 ] U3« 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

use of the third person form, or to a servant, 
should a lady write her married name at the 
close of a letter. In these days of separate 
bank accounts, many ladies have a business 
signature, which should be always used in a 
business correspondence, initials instead of the 
Christian name having the preference. 

Rochester, N. Y., 

June 14, 1900. 
Stern Brothers, 

23 d Street, New York. 

Gentlemen, — Enclosed find my check for 
twenty-five dollars (^25.00) payable to your 
order, to balance my account to date. Please 
acknowledge and send receipt in full to 

Yours very truly, 

L. B. Brown. 

Mrs. Henry Brown, 

5 Blank Street. 
Envelope address : — 

Stern Brothers, 

Twenty-third Street, 

New York City, 

New York. 

[ 129 ] (9) Example 



^ 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Example for the signature of an unmarried 
lady : — 

"The Beeches/' 

Somerville, New Jersey, 
May 1 6, 1900. 

Messrs. Dempsey & Carroll, 

Art Stationers, 
26 West 23d Street, New York City. 

Gentlemen, — Will you kindly send me, at 
your earliest convenience, specimens of the best 
styles in present use of wedding invitations, — 
a church wedding, with Breakfast and Recep- 
tion cards. Please give prices accurately, and 
state the time you would require to complete 
an order of twelve to fifteen hundred. 
Very truly yours, 

E. C. Watson. 

Miss E. C. Watson, 

Somerville. 



An unmarried lady may put before her sig- 
nature the title " Miss '' in brackets, — [Miss] 
Elizabeth C. Watson. The better form is, 

r 1 30 1 however, 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

however, to write the married or unmarried 
title in the lower left-hand corner. 

.New York City, 

May 31, 1900. 
The Century Co., 

Union Square, New York. 

Gentlemen, — Enclosed please find my 
check for four dollars (^4.00) for Century 
Magazine, in renewal of my annual subscrip- 
tion, which expires with current number. 
Kindly note change of address and oblige. 
Yours very truly, 

Mary L. Warner. 
Mrs. Matthew L. Warner, 
23 London Terrace. 

After July ist, until further notice. 

The Rockingham, Narragansett Pier, 
Rhode Island. 



To a Publishing House, enclosing check for 
two periodicals, with directions for two separate 
addresses : — 

[ 131 ] Utica, 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Utica, New York, 

April 2, 1900. 
Harper Brothers, 

Franklin Square, New York. 
Gentlemen, — Please find enclosed my 
check to your order for eight dollars ($8.00), 
payment for two annual subscriptions to your 
monthly magazine, beginning with the March 
issue, and to be sent respectively to 

Mrs. James Henry Clarke 

23 Emerson Avenue 

Utica, New York 

to 

Mr. Henry Morley Clarke 

The Camden School 

Rahway, New Jersey 

When sending receipt for check, kindly 
quote your club rates to Libraries, for the 
four periodicals published by your house, and 
oblige — 

Yours truly, 

James Henry Clarke, 

10 Potter Building, 
Utica, New York. 
[ 132 ] I" 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In sending to any large business house for 
samples, care should be taken to mention, 
style, color, weight, and width of goods, as well 
as the limit in price. 



Orange, New Jersey, 

March 20, 1900. 
Lord & Taylor, 

20th Street & Broadway, 
New York City. 

Gentlemen, — Please send at your earliest 
convenience, samples of spring cheviots and 
Henrietta cloths, neutral colors, price not to 
exceed |2.oo per yard. Also black silk net, 
plain and dotted, ranging in price from ^1.50 
to ^2.00 per yard. Also samples of " near- 
silk " linings in grays and browns, with price 
per yard, and oblige. 

Yours very truly, 

E. B. Brown. 
Mrs. E. B. Brown, 

Orange, Brick Church. 

After a selection is made from samples the 
order should be very clearly given. 

[ 133 ] Lord 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

[Address.] 
Lord & Taylor, 

2oth Street & Broadway, 

Gentlemen, — Please send enclosed order 

by United States Express, C. O. D., and 

oblige. 

Miss E. B. Brown, 

Brick Church, 

Orange, N. J. 
Order — 

lo yards of Henrietta cloth, 
3 yards black dotted net, 
7 yards of nearsilk. 
Samples enclosed. 



In writing to a dressmaker there should be 
the same care taken in regard to details that a 
business house demands. 

[Address.] 
My dear Madam Basque, — 

I have selected from the samples you sent me 
the enclosed gray cheviot, and the design 
marked "3." As you have all my measure- 
ments I shall not come into town before Friday, 
March 17th, when I shall hope for a fitting. 

[ 134 ] i^ 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

If that date be not satisfactory let me know by 
return mail, and state one more convenient. 

Very truly yours, 

Frances Brown. 
Mrs. Henry Brown, 

[Address.] 

Tuxedo, New York, 

April 30, 1900. 
Mme. Louise, 

Fifth Avenue, New York 
Dear Madame, — 

By Adams* Express I return the bonnet I 

purchased Friday, to have the flowers changed 

to deep red roses, not large in size, but in 

number. I also want two aigrettes of white 

tulle put on the left side in place of the baby 

ribbon rosettes. Please return hat by same 

express at earliest convenience, and oblige. 

Yours very truly, 

Evelyn Jones. 
Mrs. Newton Jones, 

Tuxedo Park. 



[ 135 ] Chapter Txvelve 



Let not over-refinement deck out thy thought; be not 
wordy nor a busy-bodyJ" — Marcus Aurelius. 




ETTERS of request for 
indorsement of character and 
intentions, or for recom- 
mendation, have more or 
less of a business form ; but 
letters of introduction, ap- 
peals for charity or for permissions, may com- 
bine the social with the business element. 

It is well to remember in all such communi- 
cations that a request ought never to assume 
the character of a demand. Be brief, but be 
courteous, is a safe rule to follow. 

It is a common occurrence in these days of 
constantly changing domestic service to verify 
references by personal inquiry, either in speech 
or writing. Two forms are suggested, — one, 
when the letter is sent to a total stranger ; 
the other, when the correspondents are mem- 
bers of the same social circle, but are person- 
ally not acquainted. 

[ 136 ] Mrs. 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Mrs. Charles Brown, 

Dear Madam, — Will you kindly let me 
know if Mary Fitzgerald, who has applied for 
the situation of cook, is thoroughly reliable in 
every respect. I shall be very grateful for any 
information concerning her. 

Very truly yours, 

A/T T A/r T? G. E. Ferguson. 

Mrs. L. M. rerguson. 

Fifty-seventh Street, 

October 27. 

* 

An answer to this letter of inquiry : — 

Mrs. L. M. Ferguson, 

Dear Madam, — Mary Fitzgerald lived with 
me from October, 1898, to June, 1899, during 
which time I found her honest, willing, good- 
tempered, and a fairly good cook. The clos- 
ing of my house in June threw her out of a 
situation, I shall always be glad to speak a 
good word for her. 

Very truly yours, 

A/r.. nx. \ ID M. L. Brown. 

Mrs. Charles Brown, 

Eighty-sixth Street, 

October 30. 

[ 137 ] No. a. 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

No. 2. 

[Stamped address.] 

My dear Mrs. Lansing, — 

May I beg a moment of your busy day to 
tell me something of the character of Christine 
Anderson, who has applied to me for the situa- 
tion of parlor-maid. She says she has served 
you for the past two years. The girl has so 
engaging a manner and appearance that I 
should be glad to know she is all she repre- 
sents herself to be. With apologies for this 
absorption of your time, I am. 

Very sincerely yours, 

,, rr\ ROSAMUNDE CaREW. 

May firth. 



Answer to No. 2 : 



[Stamped address.] 



Dear Mrs. Carew, — 

With pleasure will I tell you all I can of 
Christine Anderson, who lived with me, as she 
represented, two years, in which time I found 
her most capable, honest, and moral. A sister 
with an itching palm and democratic aspira- 
tions advised higher wages and less menial 
work, neither of which demands met my 

r 138 ] approval 



The Etiquette . of Correspondence 

approval. Result — separation. I am not 

yet clear as to which dismissed which. Could 

Christine be her own adviser as well as banker, 

I think you would find her an ideal servant. 

With the hope this may be the case, I am. 

Very sincerely yours, 

., ^ ^1 IsABELLE Lansing. 

May tenth. 



Kind-hearted and unthinking persons dash 
off a letter of indorsement with only the thought 
of helping another dominant, and with little re- 
flection as to the real ability of the individual 
recommended. Caution and second thought 
are the best preparation for such letters. 

44 Exchange Place, 

Reading, Penn. 

June 13, 1899. 
Mr. J. W. Howe, 

15 Corn Exchange, etc. 

My dear Sir, — Mr. John White of your 
town has been strongly recommended to us as 
the man for our southern agency. We under- 
stand that Mr. White has had a business con- 
nection with your House for several years, 

[ '39 ] ^"^ 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

and write to ask your opinion of his ability to 
fill a position involving responsibility and good 
business judgment. Any communication in 
regard to Mr. White will be considered by us 
as strictly confidential. 

Hoping to hear from you at an early date, 
I am. 

Yours truly, 

J. B. Butler, 

Manager of, etc. 

Answer : — 

15 Corn Exchange, etc., 

June 17, 1899. 
Mr. J. B. Butler, 

Manager of, etc. 

My dear Sir, — It gives me pleasure to say, 
in reply to your note of inquiry, that during a 
somewhat exceptionally intimate business con- 
nection, extending over several years, I have 
found Mr. John White in all respects worthy 
of the fullest confidence, and feel sure that you 
will have no reason to regret placing him in 
the responsible position for which he is an 
applicant. 

Very truly yours, 

J. W. Howe. 

[ 140 ] The 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

The range in letters of introduction may be 
from the purely social to the strictly business 
form, the reason for the introduction sug- 
gesting the style of presentation. 

From the purely social standpoint, with a 
strong society dash, is the following : — 

[Stamped address, or monogram,] 

Dear Elsie, — 

Are you pining for a ride in the Bois, this 
lovely spring morning ? For a dinner at 
Mme. de C/s, a musicale at the Comtesse de 
D/s ? Let me present the very essence of 
them all to you, my dear, in the person of 

Mr. — , cousin of Marie R.'s, who has 

just returned from Paris, and who will regale 
you with the latest mot, the newest mode, and 
therefore needs no further commendation from 
Your always affectionate /. ^ 

With less airy persiflage and more dignity 
is this social note : — 

My dear Mrs. Gordon, — 

I am presenting with this note my friend, 
Mr. Roger Dacres of Baltimore, whose mother, 

[ 141 ] Miss 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Miss Annie Page of Virginia, was known to 
you in her youth. Roger has inherited the 
family estate, and happily also, that fine cour- 
tesy and dignity that has distinguished his race. 
May I beg for him some measure of the 
delightful hospitality that has become the 
synonym for Gordon Hall and made me 
Yours most gratefully and faithfully, 

John Clayton Reade. 

In this example a reason is given for the in- 
troduction, apart from that of mere social 
advantage : — 

My dear Professor Browne, — 

May I introduce to you my friend Dr. 
Thomas Barnes, whose studies in Bacteriology 
will, I hope, be of interest to you in the origi- 
nality of his mind and method. I should 
apologize for this intrusion upon your valuable 
time, but for the exceeding kindness with which 
you have encouraged younger fellow- workers, 
none of whom is more appreciative of the 
honor than your old pupil and affectionate 

friend. 

Miles Drummond. 

[ H2 ] To 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

To present the needs of a charitable object, 
and to ask for a contribution with grace and 
tact, requires a knowledge of the world and of 
human nature. The subject must be adroitly- 
introduced, remembering always that it is a 
request, not a demand. The " stand and de- 
liver " form of petition rarely accomplishes its 
purpose. 

Dear Mrs. Jones, — 

I write to ask your personal interest in the 
Child*s Hospital which has just been started, 
and which is in sore need of funds to carry on 
the work. Knowing your large-heartedness 
and sympathy for helpless little ones, I have 
ventured to hope you would feel inclined to 
send me a contribution at an early date. 
Very sincerely yours, 

Florence Ingersoll. 
Miss F. L. Ingersoll, 

Madison Avenue. 



In response to a note containing an unex- 
pected contribution, this form is suggested : — 

[ 143 ] Dear 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Dear Mrs. Blank, — 

I cannot imagine a more agreeable surprise 
than your note, enclosing a cheque for one 
hundred dollars, gave me on my return to 
town yesterday. Such gifts are rare indeed, 
and when accompanied with graceful and ten- 
der sympathy for the cause, they render the 
donation doubly valuable. Please accept my 
heartiest thanks, and with them, those of my 
associates on the Board of Managers. 
Very gratefully yours, 

Edna Wolfe. 
Mrs. Y. Z. Wolfe, 

Fifty-seventh Street. 



If a request is to be made of some govern- 
ment official, there should be more or less of 
ceremonial form in the beginning and ending. 

To His Honor, the Mayor of New York. 

Sir, — May I ask the favor of your kind 
consideration in extending the courtesies of the 
City Hall to a small Club of Ladies interested 
in municipal government. They desire to add 
to their six weeks of study a visit to the various 

[ 144 ] civic 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

civic departments, but do not wish to intrude 
upon official premises without authorized 
sanction. 

The privilege of a permit from you will be 
greatly appreciated. 

I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully yours, 

Helen M. Gray, 
President of Ladies* Civic Club. 
Mrs. Wm. Gray, 
7 2d Street. 



A letter in answer to a request for genea- 
logical items : — 

Dear Miss Roberts, — 

In compliance with your request, I have 
looked through all the sources of genealogical 
information to which I have access, and send 
you herewith a memorandum of such facts as I 
have been able to find touching the subject 
you are investigating. I wish I could contri- 
bute more satisfactorily to your interesting 
work, and hope you will not hesitate to write 
again if I can be of any further service. 

[ H5 ] (^o) Wishing 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Wishing you all success in your under- 
taking, 

I am very cordially yours, 

Mary L. James. 
Albany, Oct. lo, 1899. 

In answer to a request for an outing for 
" Fresh Air Children " : — 

Riverside, 

Mount Hope, Pa. 
Dear Miss Graves, — 

You have my cordial permission to bring 
your little class for a picnic at Riverside. 
There are pretty places in the woods where 
you can spread your collation, and the mea- 
dows are full of buttercups and daisies, which 
are always a treat to city-bred children. Pray 
send to the house for a pitcher of milk, of 
which we have an abundance, and also for the 
key of the boat-house, should you care to 
make use of the boat. 

With best wishes for a happy day for the 

little ones, believe me. 

Very cordially yours, 

T Frances S. Milton. 

June 17. 

[ 146 ] I" 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

In the Far East the asking of a favor would 
seem to be a matter of moment and adjectives. 
Through the courtesy of an interesting writer 
on current events we are able to quote this let- 
ter from a young Hindoo clerk who finds a 
vacation a necessity. 

" Most Exalted Sir, — 

It is with the most habitually devout expres- 
sions of my sensitive respect that I approach 
the clemency of your masterful position with 
the self-dispraising utterances of my esteem 
and the also forgotten — by myself — assur- 
ances that in my own mind I shall be freed 
from the assumption that I am asking unpar- 
donable donations if I assert that I desire a 
short respite from my exertions ; indeed a fort- 
night holiday, as I am suffering from three 
boils, as per margin. I have the honorable 
delight of subscribing myself 

Your exalted reverence's servitor, 

Tanjanbol Panjamjaub." 



[ 1 47 ] Chapter Thirteen 




Cftap^ Wftivtttn 

A stray volume of real life is in the daily packet of a 
postman^ — eternal love and instant payment. 

— Douglas Jerrold. 



HO has not felt perplex- 
ity in the wording of an 
expression of disapproval 
or complaint ? To be able 
to couch it in language 
that will convey the just re- 
buke, yet will not wound or offend, requires 
calm deliberation and a conciliatory spirit. 

Misunderstandings often arise in all con- 
ditions of life, but like the early mist before 
the rising sun, they are soon dissipated if met 
with genial good-will and kindly temper. 

By kind permission of the Century Com- 
pany this letter, with two others, is quoted 
from the " Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll." 
To express his dislike of Bazars as a means 
for raising money to aid in Church work was 
not an enviable duty, especially as the disap- 
proval had to be sent in answer to an invita- 
tion from one of his young friends. 

[ 148 ] "My 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

" My dear Emmie, — 

I object to all bazars on the general princi- 
ple that they are very undesirable schools for 
young ladies, in which they learn to be ^ too 
fast ' and forward, and are more exposed to 
undesirable acquaintances than in ordinary 
society. I have, beside that, special objection 
to bazars connected with charitable or religious 
purposes. It seems to me they desecrate the 
religious object by their undesirable features, 
and that they take the reality out of all charity 
by getting people to think they are doing a 
good action, when their true motive is amuse- 
ment for themselves. 

Ruskin has put this far better than I can 
possibly do ; and if I can find the passage, and 
find the hour to copy it, I will send it to you. 
But time is a very scarce luxury for me. 
Always yours affectionately, 

C. L. DODGSON." 



Mr. Laurence Mendenhall, in a Munsey 
Magazine of 1894, gives a letter of Thomas 
Hughes in answer to a request for his auto- 
graph, wherein the disapproval of autograph 

r 149 "1 cpllectors 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

collectors is very plainly but politely ex- 
pressed. 

" Dear Sir, — Your note came this morning, 
and I return your card with my signature, but 
as I, on the whole, rather dislike this autograph 
business, I shall not pay the postage. If you 
ever get this I hope it may be a warning to 
you to renounce the ' autograph fiend.* 

Thomas Hughes/* 

20, 10, 87. 



For the discontinuance of a subscription to 
a magazine, with reason assigned, this example 

is given : — 

rAddress."! 

[Date.] 

Mr. E. F. Blank, 

Editor of The A'. B. C. Magazine. 
Dear Sir, — Although a subscriber to the 
A. B. C. Magazine for the past four years, I 
wish to have my name taken off the subscrip- 
tion list, and the magazine discontinued after 
the delivery of current issue. I do not find 
the periodical keeping up to its former standard 
of excellence, and strongly object to the new 

r 150 ] departure 



"The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

departure in the fiction and dramatic depart- 
ments. 

Regretting the change necessitating this 
move on my part, 

I am very truly yours, 

Silas Slowboy. 

In sharp contrast to the straightforward un- 
varnished truth of the Anglo-Saxon simplicity 
of diction is this example of Oriental hyper- 
bole. It is a veritable translation of the form 
usually sent by the Editor of a Chinese maga- 
zine when returning unavailable manuscript 
matter. 

" Illustrious Brother of the Sun and 
Moon! 

Behold thy servant prostrate before thy 
feet. I kowtow to thee, and beg that of thy 
graciousness thou mayst grant that I may 
speak and live ! Thy honored manuscript has 
deigned to cast the light of its august counte- 
nance upon us. With rapture we have perused 
it. By the bones of my ancestors, never have 
I encountered such wit, such pathos, such lofty 
thought. With fear and trembling I return 

[ 151 ] the 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

the writing. Were I to publish the treasure 
you sent me, the Emperor would order that 
it should be made the standard, and that 
none be published except such as equalled it. 
Knowing literature as I do, and that it would 
be impossible in ten thousand years to equal 
what you have done, I send your writing back. 
Ten thousand times I crave your pardon. 
Behold my head is at your feet. Do what 
you will. 

Your servant's servant. 

The Editor." 



A letter of complaint to a landlord : — 

[Address.] 

[Date.] 

Mr. James H. Stone, agent, 
425 B'dway, N. Y. 
Dear Sir : — Acting upon the authority of 
your representative, Mr. F. B. Morse, I have 
had the basement and subcellar under our 
main office thoroughly cleaned, white-washed, 
and kalsomined, and can assure you that the 
work has been most satisfactorily done. The 
total cost for this is ^100, for which we have 

[ 152 ] settled. 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

settled. I shall therefore thank you to remit 
us ^50 according to agreement. 

While on this subject, I desire to call your 
attention to the dilapidated condition of the 
front entrance to this building, — plaster drop- 
ping out of the side walls, steps broken in 
many places, and baseboard to front door 
rotting away. 

Trusting that you will give these matters 
your immediate attention, 1 remain, 
Yours truly, 

George O. Carey. 



To a Clothing House calling attention to a 
mistake in filling orders. 

Messrs. Brown & Jones, 

Children's Outfitters, etc., 
Chicago, 111. 
Gentlemen, — I regret that I am obliged to 
return the dozen pairs of stockings, received 
from you by express this morning, as they are 
a size too large. 

Kindly refer to my letter of a few days since, 
[ '53 ] ^" 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

in which you will find, I think, my order 

clearly stated. 

Please give the matter your earliest attention, 

and oblige. 

Yours very truly, 

L. B. Martin. 
Mrs. T. G. Martin, 

Evanston, 111. 



In writing for school catalogues or circulars, 
the same consideration should be shown for 
principals and masters in charge that is 
required in all business communications. 
Details regarding the pupil to be entered, out- 
side of the requirements of the catalogue, should 
be reserved for the confidence of a personal 
interview. 

Mr. Chas. G. Curtis, 

Principal Whitfield School for Boys, 
Whitfield, Conn. 

Dear Sir, — I see that you advertise, in the 
Scribner Magazine for June, a few vacancies 
in your school, and I should like to make 
application for one of these for my son, who is 

[ 154 ] ^°^ 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

now fourteen years old. I have long known 
favorably of your school, having passed a sum- 
mer some years since in your vicinity. The 
limited number of pupils admitted commends 
itself to me as securing more individual atten- 
tion than is possible in a large school. I fear 
my boy will never be a brilliant scholar, as he 
is not over-fond of study, but he has an 
excellent mind, and has always kept up with 
boys of his age in the schools he has attended 
at home. I am sending him away quite as 
much with a view to the cultivation of self- 
reliance and manliness as to advancement in 
scholarship. 

Please send me your catalogue and any 
details as to discipline that you think may apply 
particularly to his case. 

Very truly yours, 

Margaret Brayton. 
Mrs. James Brayton, 

Stonington, Conn. 



It often falls to the lot of the ladies in a 
household to settle the problem of the sum- 
mer outing, — when, where, and how long ; 

r 155 1 (questions 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

questions that cannot be answered without 
reference to the hotel proprietor, who feels a 
sense of gratitude when a letter accurate as to 
details, and clear as to requirements, is sent 
him. 

Mr. A. B. St. Laurence, 
Proprietor of the Q. House, 
Thousand Islands. 
Dear Sir, — 

Kindly let me know your terms for three 
large rooms and two small ones, on second 
floor, with accommodations for ^y^ adults and 
three children, for the months of July and 
August. It is not necessary that all the rooms 
should be en suite, but two large ones, and 
one large and one small one, must connect. 
The rooms must command a water view, and 
two at least have arrangements for artificial 
heating in damp weather. 

An early reply will greatly oblige. 

Yours very truly, 

M. J. Williams. 
Mrs. W. L. Williams, 

72 Clinton Avenue, 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 
[ 156 ] i«» 



^"^^ 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 

In response to the proprietor's letter giv- 
ing terms and accommodations the following 
reply making a definite engagement might be 
sent : — 

Mr. A. B. St. Laurence, 

Proprietor of Q. House, Thousand Islands. 
Dear Sir, — 

Please reserve rooms Nos. i8, 20, 22 on 
second floor, and Nos. ^^G and 38 on third floor, 
for the months of July and August, at terms 
given in your favor of the nth inst. Please 
have a double bed put in Nos. 20, and '^i^d^ 
respectively ; also reserve private table in second 
alcove of dining-room overlooking Sea Bay for 
my family of six, and accommodations in ser- 
vants' hall for nurse and maid. My family will 
arrive on July ist at 4.30 p. m., when please 
send conveyances for party and luggage. 
Very truly yours, 

M. J. Williams. 
Mrs. W. L. Williams, etc. 

Though many and varied examples and 
hints have been given for written forms, 
nowhere in these pages will be found models 

[ 157 ] for 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

for notes of condolence or congratulation, nor 
for letters of purely personal sentiment. To 
instruct a parent, a child, or a lover how to 
express the feeling natural to every heart in 
such a relationship seems hardly within the 
province of any book on general correspond- 
ence. The originality and genuineness of such 
epistles are their only charm. 

The tender solicitude of John Keats for 
Fanny Browne, of Robert Burns for his " Bon- 
nie Jean," may be interesting reading as addi- 
tions to the biography of men whose personality 
and mental endowments are still a joy to the 
Literan^ World. But ever\" unknown John or 
Robert prefers his own expressions of affection, 
and every right-minded Fanny or Jean attaches 
more value to the individuality of those ex- 
pressions than to the most perfect models of 
rhetorical form and epistolary style. To quote 
a clever wag : " In writing a love letter no one 
needs to be told what to say, nor wants to 
know what has been said when finished." 

Rules for rhetoric, orthography, and punc- 
tuation have also been omitted as extraneous 
to the particular subject of established custom 
and present use in form and style. If the 

[ 158 ] suggestions 



^ 



*\[he Rtiquette of Correspondence 

suggestions and explanations within these pages 
have helped to answer the questions, " How 
shall I present my ideas," not " How shall I 
express them," the purpose of the volume has 
been accomplished. 



[ 1 59 ] Chapter Fourteen 



Cftajj* S^itvtttn 




POSTAL REGULATIONS 

Condensed from the " United States Official Postal GuideJ'' 

ON'T. — Don't deposit in nor 
send to the post-office any let- 
ter or package until you have 
made sure that it is plainly and 
correctly addressed, and that 
the proper postage is prepaid. 
DON'T. — Don't mail your letter or valu- 
able package without having your own address 
written or printed on the upper left-hand 
corner. If this is done it will be returned, or 
you will be notified, in case of non-delivery, 
and will thus prevent its being sent to the 
Dead Letter Office. In the case of matter 
other than the first class, it is recommended 
that the form of request for return be as fol- 
lows : " If undeliverable. Postmaster please 
notify (here insert name of sender), who will 
send stamps for return." 

Domestic mail matter is divided into four 
classes, — first, second, third, and fourth class 



[ i6o ] 



matter, 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

matter, — and includes all matter deposited 
in the mails for city delivery, or transmission 
from one post-office to another within the 
United States. 

FIRST CLASS 

First Class Matter embraces letters sealed or 
unsealed, and all matter wholly or partly in 
writing (except manuscript accompanied by 
proof-sheets or corrected proof-sheets), and 
all articles sealed or otherwise closed against 
the inspection of postmasters. An exception 
to this are proprietary articles, such as pills, 
powders, etc., put up in original trade pack- 
ages. Matter produced by the typewriter and 
letterpress are subject to letter postage. Repro- 
ductions in imitation of the typewriter, or of 
handwriting, if presented at post-office windows 
in the minimum number of twenty identical 
copies, are third class matter. If mailed in 
less number, or elsewhere than at post-office 
windows, they are first class. 

Postage on first class matter is two cents an 
ounce or fraction of an ounce, and one full 
rate (two cents) must be prepaid to insure 
despatch. There is no limit to the weighty 

[ l6l ] (") iize. 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

size, or shape of first class matter. Valuables 
should be registered. Fee, eight cents. 

Postal Cards, Ordinary. — The postage of 
one cent is paid by the stamp impressed, and 
no further payment is necessary. 

Postal Cards, Double (or reply). — Consist 
of two attached cards, — one for the original 
message, the other to be detached and used for 
reply by the person addressed. The price of 
the double card is two cents. 

Private Mailing Cards. — The use of Pri- 
vate Mailing Cards bearing written messages 
at the postage charge of one cent each was 
authorized by Congress, May i6, 1898. Full 
particulars of the conditions applicable to the 
use of these cards will be furnished on written 
or personal application to the Assistant Post- 
master, Room 2, Post Office, New York. 

In using postal cards nothing but the name, 
address, and occupation or business of the per- 
son to whom they are going should be written 
or printed on the address side, except that 
which is required by law to be printed on 
private mailing cards. It is not permitted to 
gum, paste, or attach anything to them besides 
an address tag or label. They are unmailable 

[ 162 ] as 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

as postal cards when these conditions are dis- 
regarded, or when they are mutilated by reduc- 
tion in size or otherwise. Postal cards are 
not exchangeable or redeemable under any 
circumstances. 

SECOND CLASS 

Second Class Matter embraces newspapers, 
magazines^ and other periodical publications 
that are regularly issued at stated intervals as 
frequently as four times a year, and not de- 
signed primarily for advertising purposes, nor 
for free circulation or circulation at nominal 
rates. 

Postage, when mailed by the publisher or a 
news agent, is one cent a pound. When 
mailed by others, the rate is one cent for each 
four ounces or fraction thereof. 

Weight, There is no limit to the weight or 
size of packages of second class matter. 

Permissible Writing is limited to the name 
and address of the person to whom the matter 
is sent and the name and address of the sender, 
and the words " marked copy," to designate a 
marked word or passage to which it is desired 
to call attention. 

[ 163 ] Permissible 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Permissible Printing is subjected to the same 
restrictions as permissible writing. Publishers 
and news agents are allowed more latitude in 
the matter of printed and written additions 
than is extended to the public. 



THIRD CLASS 

Third Class Matter embraces all printed 
matter generally. Printed matter is defined 
by law to be a reproduction upon paper by 
any process except that of handwriting of any 
words, letters, characters, figures, or images, or 
any combination thereof not having the char- 
acter of actual and personal correspondence. 
Typewriting is considered the same as hand- 
writing. Reproductions by mechanical process 
in imitation of handwriting and the typewriter, 
when presented at post-office windows in the 
minimum number of twenty identical copies, 
are mailable as third class matter. If mailed 
in smaller numbers or elsewhere than at post- 
office windows, they are subject to letter rates. 
The following articles, though bearing print- 
ing, are subject to fourth class rates, — one 
cent for each ounce or fraction thereof: Bill- 

[ 164 ] heads, 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

heads, blotters, letter heads, paper patterns, 
paper sacks, and playing cards. 

Circulars, — A circular is defined to be a 
printed letter which, according to internal evi- 
dence, is being sent in identical terms to several 
persons. The following writing is permissible : 
The date of the circular, the name of the 
addressee, and the name of the sender. Typo- 
graphical errors may be corrected. But to 
write or handstamp in the body of a circular 
a date, name, or anything else, renders it a 
personal communication, and therefore subject 
to letter rates of postage. 

Postage on third class matter, including circu- 
lars, is one cent for each two ounces or fraction 
thereof. Full prepayment is compulsory. 

Weight. — A single package of third class 
matter must not exceed four pounds. There is 
no limit of weight on single books. There is no 
limit to the size or shape of third class matter. 

Wrapping, — Packages of third class matter 
must be so wrapped that the contents may be 
easily examined by postmasters without injury 
to the wrappers. 

Permissible Writing, — In or on any article 
of the third class, or on the wrapper thereof, 

[ 165 ] besides 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

besides the address, may be written the name, 
address, and occupation of the sender, preceded 
by the word " From.'* Words, or portions of 
printed matter, may be marked (except by 
written or printed words) to call attention to 
them. Typographical errors may be corrected. 
Books and other printed matter may bear a 
written dedication or inscription not of a per- 
sonal nature. Such as the following are per- 
missible : " With the compliments of," " Merry 
Christmas,'' etc. It is permissible and impor- 
tant to write, or have printed, on the wrappers 
the name and address of sender, with a request 
to be notified in case of non-delivery, as third 
class matter will not be returned or forwarded 
except on prepayment of new postage. Any 
writing in addition to above will subject this 
class of matter to letter postage, — two cents 
an ^ ounce or fraction thereof. 

Permissible Printing, — Any printing not of a 
personal character is permissible, provided rea- 
sonable space is left for the address and stamps. 
Valuables should be registered. Fee, eight cents. 

Seeds, bulbs, roots, scions, and plants are by 
special Act of Congress mailable at the same 
rates of postage as third class matter. 

r i66 1 Fourth Clast 



T*he Etiquette of Correspondence 



FOURTH CLASS 

Fourth Class Matter embraces merchandise, 
samples, and, in general, all articles (not in 
themselves unmailable) which are not included 
in the first, second, or third class. 

Postage is one cent an ounce or fraction of 
an ounce. Full prepayment is compulsory. 

Weight of fourth class matter is limited to 
four pounds. There is no limit to the size or 
shape of fourth class matter. 

Wrapping. — Packages of fourth class matter 
must be so wrapped that the contents thereof 
may be easily examined by postmasters with- 
out injury to the wrapper. " Sealed against 
inspection " does not apply to merchandise 
sealed in its simplest commercial form, such 
as pills, powders, and other proprietary articles, 
and cigars in boxes sealed by revenue stamps, 
provided the articles are in other respects 
mailable. 

Permissible Writing. — In or on matter of 
the fourth class may be written any marks, 
numbers, names, or letters, for the purpose of 
description, as in the case of samples of mer- 
chandise to indicate prices, etc. On the out- 

[167 ] ttde 



"The Etiquette of Co?^respondence 

side or wrapper of the package, besides the 
address, may be written the sender's name, 
occupation, and address, preceded by the word 
" From," with a request to be notified in case of 
non-delivery, as fourth class matter will not be 
returned or forwarded except on payment of 
new postage. Any additional writing will 
subject this class of matter to letter postage. 
Permissible Printing. — Any printing not per- 
sonal in its nature in or on such matter is 
allowable, but sufficient space must be left for 
the address and stamps. Valuables should be 
registered. Fee, eight cents. 

MAIL MATTER OF DIFFERENT 
CLASSES IN SAME PACKAGE 

When articles belonging to different classes 
of mail matter are included in the same package, 
the postage on the package is charged at the 
rate which would apply if its entire contents 
were of the class on which the highest rate is 
payable by law ; but a blank or printed envel- 
ope, or a blank or pri^tted postal card, may be 
enclosed in a package of third class matter for 
reply without subjecting the package to a higher 
rate of postage. 

[ i68 ] To 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

To enclose or conceal any matter of a higher 
class in that of a lower class, and deposit the 
same for mailing at a less rate than would be 
charged for both such higher and lower class 
matter, is punishable by a fine of ^lo for every 
such offence. 

MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS TO 
THE PUBLIC 

All mail matter at large post-of?ices is neces- 
sarily handled in great haste, and should there- 
fore in all cases be so plainly addressed as to 
leave no room for doubt and no excuse for 
ERROR on the part of postal employees. Names 
of States should be written in full (or their ab- 
breviations very distinctly written) in order to 
prevent errors which arise from the similarity of 
such abbreviations as Cal., Col. ; Pa., Va., Vt. ; 
Me., Mo., Md. ; loa., Ind. ; N. H., N. M., 
N. Y., N. D., N. J., N. C, D. C. ; Miss., 
Mass. ; Penn., Tenn., etc., etc., when hastily 
or carelessly written. This is especially neces- 
sary in addressing mail matter to places of which 
the names are borne by several post-offices in 
different States. The street and number (or 

box number) should form part of the address 
[ 169 ] of 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

of all mail matter directed to cities. In most 
cities there are many persons and even firms 
bearing the same name. 

Never send letters containing money or val- 
uables by mail without registering them, and 
never send bank-notes or gold or silver money 
at all if you can procure a check, draft, or 
money order. 

Before posting a letter or package, care should 
be taken to see that the postage is fully prepaid, 
and that the name and address of the sender 
are written or printed on the cover. 

Letters^ and packages prepaid at letter rates, 
will be returned (after thirty days) to the send- 
ers if undeliverable, when bearing the printed 
or written name and address of the sender, even 
though a request for such return does not appear 
thereon ; and if a request is made to return 
within a specified time, if undeliverable, it will 
be complied with. But no undeliverable pack- 
age of second, third, or fourth class matter 
will be returned, although it bears the name 
and address of the sender, without prepay- 
ment of new postage. Such m.atter should 
bear request of sender to be notified in case 
of n on- delivery. 

[ 170 ] Novel 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Novel and eccentric forms of direction on 
mail matter should be avoided, such, for in- 
stance, as reversing in the superscription the 
usual order of the State, city, and person named. 
All such departures from established custom 
only tend to confuse and embarrass the opera- 
tions of the clerks, and are liable to result in 
errors and delay. 

" Local " names that are not those of the 
post-offices where delivery is desired, and names 
of private country residences and villas, should 
be carefully omitted from addresses of corre- 
spondence intended for prompt transmission by 
mail. Fanciful additions should not be made 
to the names of post-offices, as they are apt to 
mislead and confuse assorting clerks, and so 
cause errors. 

Business cards and requests to return if not 
delivered, and postage stamps, should not be 
placed on the hacks of letters. As a rule the 
address sides only of letters are examined in 
post-offices, and any notice or instruction in- 
tended for the guidance of the post-office should 
be placed where it will most readily and easily 
be observed. 

Persons or firms changing or intending to 

r 171 J change 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

change their place of residence or business 
should promptly notify the postmaster, and 
should also advise their correspondents, and the 
publishers of newspapers and periodicals to 
which they are subscribers, of their change of 
address. 

In the delivery of circulars and other simi- 
lar printed matter, the same care is exercised 
as in the case of letters ; but experience has 
shown that such matter, after having been 
properly delivered, is frequently retained, cast 
aside, or destroyed by servants and messen- 
gers and never reaches the hands of their 
employers. This fact has often led to unjust 
complaints of the non-delivery of unsealed 
circulars and printed postal cards by the post- 
office. Attractive illustrated newspapers, cata- 
logues, calendars, etc., are often appropriated 
after delivery by others than those to whom 
they are directed. 

Mail matter that has been returned to the 
sender as undeliverable or unmailable on ac- 
count of defective addresses, insufficient prepay- 
ment, or otherwise, should not be remailed in 
the same envelope or wrapper bearing the marks 

originally affixed by the post-office to show 
[ 172 ] the 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

the cause of its return, as this practice is liable 
to cause its second return. 

Articles liable to damage through the pressure 
and friction incident to transportation by mail 
should, when sent by post, be protected against 
such injury by being securely wrapped or en- 
closed. Fragile articles enclosed in thin paste- 
board boxes will probably reach their destination 
in bad condition, unless this caution is heeded, 
especially when addressed to places at a distance. 
Paper used for the wrappers of packages sent 
by mail should be of substantial texture and 
good quality, otherwise there is danger that 
wrappers may be torn, and the address or con- 
tents lost. In every large mail that arrives 
(especially in those from abroad), numbers of 
books, pamphlets, and other articles are found 
disconnected from their wrappers, owing to 
the neglect of the senders to properly secure 
the same. 

Mail matter intended for persons tempora- 
rily residing in New York, as guests in private 
families, should be addressed in the care of 
their hosts, otherwise servants, janitors, etc., 
to whom they are unknown, may refuse to 
receive it. 

r 172 "I Senders 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Senders of packages of third or fourth class 
matter should be careful to write or print 
their own names and addresses (preceded by the 
word " From " on the same side of the wrapper 
as that on which the direction is written, but 
not to make it so conspicuous as the latter), as 
otherwise the package may be erroneously re- 
turned to themselves as the addressees. 

When mail matter directed to a name that is 
repeated twice or oftener in the directory bears 
no street address, nor any other indication that 
may serve as a guide in its delivery, the post- 
office does not undertake to decide as to its 
ownership. When it bears the name and ad- 
dress of the sender, it is returned to him with 
request to furnish a definite address. 

Avoid using sealing-wax on the covers, as 
letters so sealed often adhere to each other, and 
the addresses of the articles are destroyed by 
the tearing of the covers in the attempt to 
separate the articles. See that postage stamps 
affixed to the covers of articles of printed mat- 
ter do not adhere also to the articles themselves, 
thus virtually sealing the packages, and thereby 
subjecting them to additional postage, at the 
letter rate, on delivery. 

[ 174 ] Registration. 



The Ktiquette of Correspondence 

Registration. — Any article of mail matter, 
except those addressed under initials, or with 
the address written with a pencil, may be reg- 
istered, subject to full prepayment of the postage 
upon the article according to its nature, in ad- 
dition to the registration fee. 

SPECIAL RATES AND CONDITIONS 
APPLYING TO SHANGHAI, CHINA 

Articles of every kind and nature which are 
admitted to the United States domestic mails 
are admitted to the mails exchanged between 
the United States and the United States Postal 
Agency at Shanghai, China ; subject, however, 
to the following rates of postage, which must 
be prepaid on all articles, except official corre- 
spondence in " penalty " envelopes. 

First class matter, five cents for each one-half 
ounce or fraction of one-half ounce. 

Postal card, single, two cents each ; double, 
four cents each. 

Second and third class matter, and samples 
of merchandise not exceeding eight ounces in 
weight, one cent for each two ounces or fraction 
of two ounces. No limit of weight on single 
books. 

{, ^1'^ ^ Fourth 



The Rtiquette of Correspondence 

Fourth class matter (miscellaneous goods 
or merchandise), one cent for each ounce or 
fraction of an ounce ; limit of weight, four 
pounds. 

Registration fee, eight cents ; no additional 
charge for return receipt. 

Articles other than letters in their usual 
and ordinary foryn must not be closed against 
inspection, but must be so wrapped and en- 
closed that they may be readily and thor- 
oughly examined by postmasters and customs 
officers. 

Articles addressed for delivery at the follow- 
ing places in China, viz. : — 

Cheefoo (or Yan- Kaiping, Shanghai, 

tai), Kalgan, Taku, 

Chin Kiang, Kiukiang, Tientsin, 

Chung King, Nanking, Wenchow, 

Foochow, Newchwang, Wuchang, 

Hankow, Ningpo, Wuhn, 

Hung Chow, Ourga, Yentai (or Chee- 

Ichang, Peking, foo)? 

are transmissible in the mails for the U. S. 
Postal Agency at Shanghai, but at places other 
than Shanghai additional charges for postage 
may be made on delivery. 

[176] Special Rates 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



SPECIAL RATES AND CONDITIONS 

APPLYING TO CANADA AND 

MEXICO 

Canada, — Articles of every kind or nature 
which are admitted to the domestic mails of 
either country are admitted at the same postage 
rates and under the same conditions to the 
mails exchanged between the two countries : 
except that plants, seeds, etc., are subject to 
the postage rate of one cent an ounce ; that 
" Commercial papers " and samples of merchan- 
dise are transmissible at the same postage rates 
and under the same conditions as apply to them 
in mails to other foreign countries — though 
goods and merchandise not samples may be 
sent in packages, not over four pounds in 
weight, for one cent per ounce ; and that arti- 
cles other than letters in their usual and ordinary 
form are excluded from the mails unless they 
are so wrapped and enclosed as to permit their 
contents to be easily examined by postmasters 
or customs officers ; and except also the fol- 
lowing articles, the transmission of which is 
absolutely prohibited under any circumstances, 
viz. : 

[ 177 ] (i^) AU 



T^he Ktiqicette of Correspondence 

All sealed packages which, from their form 
and general appearance, evidently are not letters. 

Publications which violate the copyright 
laws of the country of destination ; packets 
(except single volumes of printed books and 
packages of second class matter) which ex- 
ceed four pounds six ounces in weight ; poi- 
sons, explosive or inflammable substances ; 
live or dead (not dried) animals, insects, and 
reptiles (except queen bees and their attendant 
bees), fruits and vegetables which quickly 
decompose, and substances which exhale a 
bad odor ; lottery tickets or circulars, Police 
Gazettes ; all obscene or immoral articles, and 
other articles which may destroy or damage 
the mails, or injure the persons handling 
them. 

All articles are required to h^ fully prepaid 
with postage stamps, at the rate of postage ap- 
plicable to similar articles in the domestic mails 
of the country' of origin, and are required to be 
delivered free of postage to addresses in the 
country of destination; except that letters upon 
which only one rate of postage has been pre- 
paid are required to be forwarded, any deficiency 
being collected on delivery. 

[ 178 ] Mexico. 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Mexico, — All articles of every kind and 
nature which are admitted to the domestic 
mails of either country will be admitted under 
the same conditions to the mails exchanged 
between the two countries ; except that articles 
of miscellaneous merchandise (fourth class mat- 
ter), not sent as bona-fide trade samples, are 
required to be sent by " Parcels Post/' and 
that commercial papers and bona-fide trade 
samples are transmissible in the regular mails 
at the postage rate and subject to the condi- 
tions applicable to those articles in Postal 
Union Mails; and except also the following 
articles, the transmission of which is absolutely 
prohibited under any circumstances, viz. : 
Sealed packages which, from their form and 
general appearance evidently are not letters; 
publications which violate the copyright laws 
of the country of destination ; packets, except 
single volumes of printed books, which exceed 
four pounds six ounces in weight ; poisons, 
explosive or inflammable substances ; live or 
dead (not dried) animals, insects (except bees) 
and reptiles ; fruit and vegetables which quickly 
decompose, and substances which exhale a bad 
odor ; lottery tickets or circulars ; all obscene 
[ 179 ] or 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

or immoral articles ; and other articles which 
may destroy or damage the mails, or injure 
persons handling them. Matter addressed to 
Mexico must, in all cases, bear as part of the 
address the name of the State in which the city 
or town is located. For example : Acapulco 
Guerrero, Mexico, not Acapulco, Mexico. 

RATES AND GENERAL REGULATIONS 

APPLYING TO OTHER FOREIGN 

COUNTRIES 

Postal Cards — single or with paid reply — 
must be forwarded without cover. 

Each half of a double post card is a complete 
post card ; but, in the event of the reply-half 
of a double post card issued by any country 
being sent by mail to an addressee in a coun- 
try other than that which issued the card, it is 
required to be treated as an unpaid letter, and 
postage collected of the addressee accordingly. 

The face of a post card (single or double) is 
reserved for postage stamps, post-marks and the 
address, which may be made either in writing, 
printing, or by means of a hand stamp or an 
adhesive label ; but the sender may also, in 
the same manner, indicate his name and 

[ 180 ] address 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

address either on the face or back of a post 
card, and he may also place his name and 
address on the reply-half of a double post 
card. Engravings or advertisements may be 
printed on the back of post cards, and on the 
front when they do not interfere with a per- 
fectly distinct address. 

The United States two-cent postal cards 
should be used for card correspondence with 
foreign countries (except Canada and Mexico, 
to which countries the one-cent card is trans- 
missible) ; but where these cards cannot be ob- 
tained it is allowable to use for this purpose 
the United States one-cent postal card, with a 
one-cent United States adhesive postage stamp 
attached thereto. 

Dutiable Articles Received in Foreign Mails, 
— Customs officers are assigned to duty at the 
New York Post-Office for the seizure of dutia- 
ble articles arriving in the mails from foreign 
countries. All unsealed packages containing 
such articles are seized by them, and when 
letters, sealed packages, or packages the wrap- 
pers of which cannot be removed without de- 
stroying them, are received in the United 

[ l8l ] States 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

States from a foreign country, and there is 
reason to believe they contain articles liable 
to customs duties, the customs officers are 
notified of the receipt of such letters or pack- 
ages, and their several addresses ; and if any 
letter or package of this character be addressed 
to a person residing within the delivery of this 
office, the addressee thereof is notified that 
such letter or package has been received, and 
is believed to contain articles liable to customs 
duties, and that he must appear at the office of 
the customs examiners in the post-office building 
within a time not exceeding twenty days from 
the date of said notice, and receive and open 
said letter or package in their presence. 

All hooks received here from foreign coun- 
tries addressed for delivery at any point within 
the United States are, under instructions of the 
Treasury and Post-Office Departments, placed 
in the custody of customs officers for examina- 
tion and appraisement, and are forwarded by 
them by mail, charged with duties (when found 
to be dutiable) to be collected by the Post- 
master at the office of delivery. Complaints of 
supposed overcharges or of any other irregular- 
ity in connection with customs duties should be 

r I 8 2 1 addressed 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

addressed to the " Collector of Customs, New 
York/* and not to the Postmaster^ who has no 
authority to review or amend the action of the 
customs officers. All books, when returned 
to this office by the customs examiners, are 
promptly forwarded to their respective desti- 
nations. The packages will be found to bear 
two post-marks, — one indicating the date of 
original receipt here, and the other the date on 
which they were returned by the customs 
officers for mailing. 

When dutiable book packages are addressed 
for delivery in this city they are forwarded to 
the different Stations or held at the General 
Post-Office, and the addressees notified to call 
for and receive them on payment of duties 
and of any additional postage that may be 
due thereon. 

Prohibited Articles, — It is forbidden to send 
by mail to foreign countries : i . Letters or 
packets containing gold or silver substances, 
jewelry, or precious articles, except to Mexico, 
Germany, and the German Protectorates, Brit- 
ish Colonies of Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, 
Falkland Islands, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Malta, 

[ 183 ] Labuan, 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Labuan, Lagos, Montserrat, Gambia, and the 
Straits Settlements. 2. Any packet whatever 
containing articles liable to customs duty in 
the countries addressed, except Canada and 
Mexico, and articles forwarded by Parcels Post. 
3. Articles other than letters which are not 
prepaid at least partly, or which do not fulfil 
the conditions required in order to enjoy the 
reduced rate. 4. Articles of a nature likely 
to soil or injure the correspondence. 5. Pack- 
ets of samples of merchandise not fully prepaid 
at letter rates, which have a salable value, or 
which exceed 350 grams (12 ozs.) in weight, or 
measure more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) 
in length, 20 centimeters (8 inches) in breadth, 
and 10 centimeters (4 inches) in depth, except 
that when in the form of a roll a package of 
samples may measure not to exceed 30 centi- 
meters (12 inches) in length, and 15 centimeters 
(6 inches) in diameter. Packets of commercial 
papers and printed matter of all kinds, not fully 
prepaid at letter rates, the weight of which 
exceeds 2 kilograms (4 lbs. 6 ozs.) or the 
dimensions of which exceed 45 centimeters 
18 inches in any direction except when in 
the form oi rolls which do not exceed 75 centi- 

\_ 184 J meters 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

meters (30 inches) in length by 10 centi- 
meters (4 inches) in diameter. 6. Poisons, 
explosives, and inflammable articles, animals 
dead or alive, insects, reptiles, fruit or vegetable 
matter liable to decomposition, substances ex- 
haling a bad odor. 7. Books, prints, or other 
articles of obscene and indecent character, 
letters, circulars, etc., concerning lotteries. 
8. Postal cards or letters addressed to go 
around the world. 

The following articles, when addressed to 
the countries named, are absolutely unmailable, 
— the laws of those countries forbidding their 
importation by mail : — 

^0 Belgium. — Articles of miscellaneous mer- 
chandise not bona-fide trade samples. 

I'd Canada. — (a) Letters not prepaid, one 
rate — two cents. Articles, other than letters 
in their usual and ordinary form, which are 
wrapped so that their contents cannot be easily 
examined. 

(b) Other exchangeable mail matter not fully 
prepaid. 

(c) Police Gazettes ; " Police News ; " and 
publications which violate the copyright laws 
of Canada. 

[ 185 ] 2-0 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

'To Denmark, — Articles resembling postage 
stamps or postal cards. 

To France. — Tobacco in any form. 

To Great Britain. — (a) Packages of manu- 
factured tobacco of any kind whatever, includ- 
ing cigars, cigarettes, and snuff; also packages 
of unmanufactured tobacco which exceed four 
ounces, gross weight. 

(b) Printed matter relating to bets. 

To Greece. — Plants in general (including 
roots, hay, fresh fruits, and vegetables), and 
fertilizers. 

To Hungary. — Articles of clothing of all 
kinds — including hats, underclothes, and pairs 
of shoes, gloves, etc. 

To Italy. — (a) Living plants or any living 
portion of a vegetable, such as branches, bulbs, 
or roots. 

(b) Samples of tobacco. 

(c) Samples of raw or spun silk in excess of 
one hundred grams (three and one-half ounces) 
weight. 

(d) Correspondence relative to lotteries. 
To Mexico. — (a) Letters not prepaid one 
rate — two cents. Articles other than letters 
in their usual and ordinary form, which are 

[ 1 86 J wrapped 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

wrapped so that their contents cannot be easily 
examined. 

(b) Other exchangeable matter not fully 
prepaid. 

(c) Publications which violate the copyright 
laws of Mexico. 

(d) Merchandise other than bona-fide trade 
samples, unless sent by " Parcels Post.'* 

(e) Bank-notes, drafts payable to bearer, 
money, jewelry, precious stones ; subject to a 
fine of twenty per cent of the value of the 
articles. 

New South Wales, — Opium and tobacco, 
whether manufactured or not, and whether 
bona-fide trade samples or not. 

^0 Roumania, — Plants, such as trees, shrubs, 
bulbs, roots, etc. 

'To Russia. — (a) Newspapers and other po- 
litical publications, unless addressed to mem- 
bers of the reigning imperial family, ministers 
of the Empire, or members of the diplomatic 
corps, or subscribed for at Russian post- 
offices. 

(b) Non-political publications, except those 
subscribed for at Russian post-offices or ad- 
dressed to the Public Imperial Library, the 

|_ 187 J Academy 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Academy of Sciences, the higher education 
establishmentSj or established book-stores. 

(c) Books in the Russian language published 
elsewhere than in Russia. 

(d) Pasteboard drawing models. 

(e) Russian paper money. 

'To Sweden, — Pasteboard drawing models. 

To Spain. — (a) Reproduction of the hydro- 
graphic maps published by the Spanish Minis- 
try of Marine. 

(b) Missals, breviaries, and other liturgical 
books pertaining to the Catholic religion. 

(c) Works of Spanish authors reproduced 
abroad in contravention of the law respecting 
intellectual property. 

(d) Samples of cloths, textile fabrics, felt, and 
colored paper which measure more than sixteen 
inches square, and which have not cuts at least 
eight inches long across their width. 

The Republic of Colombia. — Books and non- 
periodical publications which, to judge from 
their number, are not intended for the personal 
use of the persons to whom they are addressed, 
but are intended for sale and are consequently 
liable to customs duties upon entering the 
Republic of Colombia. 

[ i88 ] Ti€ 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

'The South African Republic . — Papers relative 
to lotteries. 

Venezuela, — " Samples " having a salable 
value will not be delivered to addressees even 
upon payment of customs duties. 

Liquids^ etc,^ in Foreign Mails, — Samples of 
liquids^ fatty substances and powders, whether 
coloring or not (except such as are dangerous, 
inflammable, explosive, or exhale a bad odor), 
and also live bees, specimens of natural history, 
and articles of glass, are admitted to the mails 
exchanged between the United States and to 
the mails they exchange with the other coun- 
tries of the Universal Postal Union, provided 
said samples conform to the following condi- 
tions, viz. : (i) Liquids y oilsy and fatty substances 
which easily liquefy, must be placed in thick 
glass bottles hermetically sealed ; the bottles 
must be packed in a wooden box, which can 
be opened without withdrawing tacks, nails, or 
screws, containing sufficient spongy matter to 
absorb the contents if the bottle should break, 
and this wooden box must be enclosed in a 
case of metal or wood, with a screw top, or of 
strong and thick leather, in order that it may 
be easily opened for examination of the con- 

[ 189 ] tents 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

tents. If perforated wooden blocks are used 
measuring at least i.io inches in the thinnest 
part sufficiently filled with absorbent material 
and furnished with a lid, it is not necessary 
that the blocks should be enclosed in a second 
case. (2) Fatty substances which do not easily 
liquefy, such as ointments, resin, etc., must be 
enclosed in a box or bag of linen, parchment, 
etc., and then placed in an outside box of wood? 
metal, or strong, thick leather. (3) Dry pow- 
ders^ whether coloring or not, must be enclosed 
in boxes or stout envelopes, which are placed 
in an outside bag of linen or parchment. 



[ 1 90 ] Somt Uteful Hints 




IN RELATION TO CORRESPONDENCE 

Careful attention to these matters mark the well- 
bred and refined letter writer, 

EVER use scented paper, ec- 
centric shapes in note sheets 
and envelopes, odd or glaring 
colors, ruled or plaid paper, 
soiled or mismatched sheets 
and envelopes, fancy colors in 
ink or wax, conspicuous monograms or address 
dies, manufactured crests or coat of arms. 

Never crowd together the date, address, and 
salutation in the beginning, nor the date, ad- 
dress, and signature in the closing of a letter. 
Avoid the slovenly habit of running a word, 
or part of a word, down the margin of the page, 
instead of writing it on the next line. 

Be careful in separating words to space them 
evenly, that too many may not be on one line, 
and too few on another. 

Try to keep a narrow margin on each side of 
the note or letter page, except in long, familiar 
letters where all the available space is needed. 

[ 191 ] Date 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

Date all notes and letters, unless they are 
short and informal in character. In business 
and family letters place the date and address 
at the head of the page. In social notes place 
the date and house address after the signature, 
in the lower left-hand corner. The date of 
the year — when used — should be in figures, 
not written out in full. 

Do not fail to have some form of salutation 
at the beginning of a letter. 

Do not begin a sentence without a subject, 
as : " Have meant to write to you before, 
but was delayed ; " or, " Would like to hear 
from you very soon," — an ambiguous form 
as uncomplimentary as it is ungrammatical. 

Avoid the use of meaningless adjectives and 
gushing terms of affection, as well as the in- 
troduction of slang phrases and expressions. 
Written words are sometimes very unpleasant 
witnesses. 

Be careful to write the word " yours " after 
the closing phrases, " Affectionately," " Very 
sincerely," " Very cordially," " Very truly," 
etc. 

Do not underline words and sentences for 
emphasis, nor fill the first page or two of a 

[ 192 ] letter 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

letter with apologies and long prefaces of 
explanation. 

Do not leave the most important item for a 
postscript. 

Do not use abbreviations or initials in a 
social note or letter. They belong to the 
concise forms of business communications. 

Avoid flourishes and peculiar and striking 
capitals in the signature. They are an evi- 
dence of vanity and vulgarity, not of individu- 
ality and character, as is sometimes imagined. 

Never add a title to the signature at the 
end of a letter, as : " Mrs. Jones," " Miss 
Jones," or "William Jones, Esq." 

Do not send a blotted, blurred, illegible letter, 
nor one with pages crossed and re-crossed. 

In writing the superscription on the envel- 
ope, be careful to place the address neither too 
high nor too low, nor crowded into one corner. 

Be sure the envelope is right-side up and 
the stamp carefully placed in the upper right- 
hand corner ; not only for the neat appearance 
of the envelope, but also for the convenience 
of the post-office clerk. 

Do not write the words " Present," " Ad- 
dressed," " En Ville," or " Town " on an 

[ ^93 ] (*3) envelope 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 

envelope in lieu of the address. It is a 
custom no longer followed. The letters or 
abbreviations " st/' " th," " nd," after ordinal 
numbers are often omitted in an address, — 
"i8 West 52 Street," "13 East 35 Street," 
" 12 West 34 Street." 

In answering invitations, it is good form to 
consider these unwritten laws : — 

Answers to formal invitations should be 
worded in accordance with the form of the 
invitation. 

It is considered more courteous and friendly 
to give a reason for non-attendance, than to write 
a mere formal note of " regret." 

An invitation should never be answered on 
a postal card or a visiting card, on business 
paper, nor on a half-sheet of note paper. 

An answer should always be addressed to 
the person in whose name the invitation is 
given. 

In the case of a joint note of invitation from 
a husband or wife, or from several members of 
a family or household, the answer should con- 
tain an allusion to each and all ; but the 
envelope should be addressed to the senior, if 

[ 194 ] in 



The Fjtiquette of Correspondence 

in a family ; to the wife alone, if in the name 
of a husband and wife. 

An invitation to a dinner or luncheon 
requires an immediate answer ; but invitations 
to weddings, receptions, balls, and evening 
entertainments require no answer in accept- 
ance, unless a request for one has been made. 
Written regrets should be sent within three or 
four days after the receipt of the invitation. 

Should any unforeseen occiirrence prevent 
attendance at the last moment, an explanation 
should be sent the next day. 

Should it be necessary to send " regrets " for 
an invitation to a wedding or wedding reception, 
it is customary — if at a distance — to send a 
double set of cards. For cards of announce- 
ment, to return cards, two for a man, and one 
for a woman. 

In writing a letter of request to a stranger 
or mere acquaintance, it is good form always to 
enclose a postage stamp. One should hesitate 
to impose, except upon a relative or intimate 
friend, any pecuniary obligation. 



L '95 J Abhreviatiom 



ABB REVIATI ONS 

RELATIVE ro LMERARY MATTER 



Abbr., Abbreviated 
Abr., Abridged 
Ad lib. {ad libitum)^ at plea- 
sure 
A. S., Anglo-Saxon 
Anon., Anonymously 
Ans., Answer 
Art., Article 
Arr., Arrived 
App., Appendix 

Bk., bks., Book, books 
Bd., Bound 

Bds., Bound in boards. (Half- 
bound, hf.-bd.) 

Cap., Caps., Capital, capitals 
S. Caps., Small capitals 
Chap., Chapter 
Cf. [confer), compare 
Chron., Chronicle 
Col., Colossians 
Com. Ver., Common Version 
Conj., Conjunction 
Cor., Corinthians 
Cor. Sec, Corresponding Sec- 
retary 
Cur., Current (this month) 
Cyc, Cyclopaedia 

Deriv., Derivative 
Deut., Deuteronomy 
Diet., Dictionary 
Diss., Dissertation 
Do., {ditto), same as before 

[ ^97 ] 



Eccl., Ecclesiastes 

Eccl. Hist., Ecclesiastical His- 
tory 

Ed., Edition, Editor 

Eds., Editors 

E. E., Errors excepted 

E. G. or e. g. {exempli gratia), 
for example 

Ency., Encyclopaedia 

Ent., Entomology 

Ep., Epistle 

Eph., Ephesians 

Esd., Esdras 

Esth., Esther 

E. T., English translation 

Etc. or &c. [et ccetera), and 
so forth 

Et seq. {etse^uentia) J and what 
follows 

Ex., Example, Exodus 

Exod., Exodus 

Ez., Ezra 

Ezek., Ezekiel 

Fem. or f., Feminine 
Fig., Figure 
Fo. or fol.. Folio 

Gal., Galatians 
Geog., Geography 
Geol., Geology 
Geom., Geometry 
Gram., Grammar 

Hab., Habakkuk 
Hag., Haggai 

H. E. 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 



H. E. or h. e. {hoc est), that 


M. (meridian), noon 


is, {hie est) this is 


Mace, Maccabees 


Heb., Hebrews 


Mag., Magazine 


Her., Heraldry 


Mai., Malachi 


Hist., History 


Marg. trans.. Marginal trans- 


Hos., Hosea 


lations 




Masc, Masculine 


Ibid, or lb. {ibidem), in the 


Math., Mathematics 


same place 


Matt., Matthew 


Id. (idem), the same 


Mem. {memento), remember 


I. E. or i. e. {id est), that is 


Mem., Memorandum 


Imp. t., Imperfect tense 


Met., Metaphysics 


Incog. {incog7iito), unknown 


Meteor., Meteorology 


Indie, Indicative 


Mic, Micah 


Infin., Infinitive 


Min., Mineralogy 


In loc. {in loco), in the place 


Mod., Modern 


Inst., Instant, or present month 


MS., MSS., Manuscript, Man- 


Inter j., Interjection 


uscripts 


In trans, (m transitu), on the 


Myth., Mythology 


passage 




Isa., Isaiah 


Nah., Nahum 


I tin.. Itinerary 


N. B. {nota bene), take notice 


Intro., Introduction 


Neh., Nehemiah 




Nem. con. {nemine contra- 


Jer., Jeremiah 


dicente), unanimously 


Jno., John 


Neut., neuter 


Jo., Joel 


New Test., N. T., New Tes- 


Josh., Joshua 


tament 


Jour., Journal 


No. Nos. {numero), number. 




numbers 


L. or lib. {liber), book 


Nom., Nominative 


Lam., Lamentations 


N. u.. Name unknown 


Lat., Latin 




Lev., Leviticus 


Obad., Obadiah 


Lib., Library, Librarian 


Obj., Objective 


1. c, lower case {in type) 


Obs., Observation 


Lit., Literature 


O. T., Old Testament 


Lit., lit., literally 


Oxon. {Oxonia), Oxford 


L. S. {locus sigilli), place of 




the seal 


P., p., pp.. Page, pages 


LXX., The Septuagint 


Par., 1, Paragraph 



[ 198 ] 



Payt., 



'The Ktiquette of Correspondence 



Payt., Payment 

Per an., By the year 

Perf., Perfect 

Pet., Peter 

Phys., Physics 

PI., pi., Place or plate 

pi. or plur., plural 

P. M. {post meridiem)^ after- 
noon 

P. S., Postscript 

Pop., Population 

Pos., Possessive 

Pp., Past participle 

P. p. c. {j>our prendre conge), 
to take leave 

Pref,, Preface 

Prep., Preposition 

Prob., Problem 

Pron., Pronounced 

Prop., Proposition 

Pro tern, {pro tempore), for the 
time 

Prox., next, or of the next month 

Ps., Psalm or Psalms 

Pub., Published, Publisher 

Pub. doc. Public document 

Ps. v., Post village 

Ques., Qu., Question 

Q. D. or q. d. {quasi dicat), as 

if he should say 
Qm. {quomodo), by what means 
Qr., Quarter 
Qu., Qy., or q., Query 
Q. V. or q. v. {quod vide), which 

see 

Rec, Recipe 

Rec*., Received 

Recpt., Receipt 

Rec. Sec, Recording Secretary 

[ 199 ] 



Rel. pron.. Relative pronoun 
Rem., Remark 
Rhet., Rhetoric 
R. S., Right side 
Rev., Review 

Sam., Samuel 

Sax., Saxon 

Sec, Secretary, Section 

Sept., Septuagint 

Sing., Singular 

Skr., Sanscrit 

Sid., Sailed 

S. of Sol., Song of Solomon 

Sqr. or sq., Square 

SS. or ss. {scilicet), to wit, 

namely 
Subj., Subjunctive 
Subst., Substantive 
Sup. or Supp., Supplement 
Sup., Superfine 
Syn., Synonym 

Text rec. Received text 
Thess., Thessalonians 
Tr., Translation, transpose 
Typ., Typographer 

Ult. {ultimo). Last, of the last 
month 

v.. Verb, Ver., Version 

Ver., Verse 

V. G. or V. g. {verbi gratia), for 

example 
V. A., Verb active 
V. int.. Verb intransitive 
Viz. {videlicet), to wit, namely 
Vo. {verso), left-hand page 
Vol., Vols., Volume, volumes 
Vs. {versus), against 

V. tr., 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



V. tr., Verb transitive 


Yr. B., Year book 


Vul., Vulgate 


ye, the 




ym, them 


w. f., wrong font (type) 


yr., Year, your 
Yrs., Yours 


Xmas., Christmas 


Zech., Zechariah 


Xn., Christian 


Zool., Zoology 



TITLES 



of Arts, A.B. 
Arts, A.M. 



or 



or 



Degrees — 

Bachelor 

B.A. 
Master of 

M.A. 
Bachelor of Divinity, B.D. 
Doctor of Divinity, D.D. 
Doctor of Divinity, S.T.D. 

{Sancta Theologies Doctor) 
Bachelor of Laws, LL.B. 
Master of Laws, M.L. 
Doctor of Laws, LL.D. 
Doctor of Civil Law, D.C.L 
Doctor, Dr. 

Doctor of Medicine, M.D. 
Doctor of Dental Surgery, 

D.D.S. 
Bachelor of Philosophy, Ph.B. 
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D. 
Master of Science, M.S. 
Bachelor of Science, B.S. 
Doctor of Letters, Lit. Dr. 
Doctor of Polite Literature, 

L.H.D. [Literariim Hnmani 

orum Doctor) 
Doctor of Music, D.M. or 

Mus.Dr. 
Civil Engineer, C.E. 
Military or Mechanical Engi- 
neer, M.E. 
[ 200 ] 



In the Church — 

Archbishop, Archbp. 
Bishop, Rt. Rev. Bp. 
Priest, Rev. 
Minister, Rev. 
Deacon, Dea. 



Government — 

President, Pres. 

Vice President, V. Pres. 

Chief Justice, C.J. 

Justice, Jus. 

Honorable, Hon. 

His Excellency, H. Exc. 

Esquire, Esq. 

Postmaster, P.^M. 

Attorney General, Atty. Gen. 

Chancellor, Chanc. 

Provost, Prov. 

Rector, Rect. 

Registrar, Reg. 

Librarian, Lib. 

Professor, Prof. 



Military Titles^ 

General, Gen., Gen'l 
Lieutenant General, Lt. Gen. 
Major General, Maj. Gen. 

Brigadier 



The Fjtiquette of Correspondence 



Brigadier General, Brig. Gen. 

Colonel, Col. 

Lieutenant Colonel, Lt. Col. 

Major, Maj. 

Captain, Capt. 

First Lieutenant, ist Lieut. 

Second Lieutenant, 2nd Lieut. 

Adjutant General, Adj. Gen. 

Assistant Adjutant General, 

A.A.G. 
Inspector General, Insp. Gen. 
Assistant Inspector General, 

A.LG. 
Quarter-Master General, Q- 

M.G. 
Quarter-Master, Q.M. 
Commissary General, C.G.S. 
Surgeon General, Surg. Gen. 
Surgeon, Surg. 
Paymaster General, P. M.G. 
Paymaster, Pay M. 
Chief Engineer, Chf. E. 
Chief of Ordnance, Chf. Ord. 
Chaplain, Chap. 

Naval Titles — 

Admiral, Adm., Admi. 
Vice Admiral, V. Adm. 
Rear Admiral, R. Adm. 
Commodore, Commo. 
Captain, Capt. 
Commander, Com. 
Lieutenant Commander, Lt. 

Com. 
Lieutenant, Lieut. 
Master, Mas. 
Ensign, Ens. 
Midshipman, Mid. 
Medical Inspector, Med. Insp. 
Engineer in Chief, Eng. in Chf. 
Naval Constructor, Nav. Con. 
[ 201 ] 



Commandant, Comdt. 
Navigator, Nav. 

Diplomatic — 

Envoy Extraordinary and 
Minister Plenipotenti- 
ary, E.E.M.P. 

Minister Plenipotentiary, Min. 
Plan. 

Consul General, C.G. 

Secretary of Legation, Sec. 
Leg. 

Consul, C. 

Vice Consul, V.C. 

Geographical — 

Africa, Af. 

America, Am. or Amer. 

Austria, Aust. 

Belgium, Bel. 

British America, B.A. 

Canada, Can. 

England, Eng. 

France, Fr. 

Great Britain, G.B. 

Germany, Ger. 

Ireland, Ire. 

Italy, It. 

India, Ind. 

Japan, Jap. 

MexicOjMex. 

New Brunswick, N.B. 

Nova Scotia, N.S. 

Portugal, Port. 

Prince Edward Island, P.E.I. 

Prussia, Pruss. 

Russia, Russ. 

Sandwich Islands, S. lis. 

Scotland, Scot. 

South 



T'he Ktiquette of Correspondence 



South America, S.A. 
Spain, Sp. 
Sweden, Sw. 



Switzerland, Switz. 

Syria, Syr. 

West Indies, W.I. or W. Ind. 



STATES AND TERRITORIES IN THE 
UNITED STATES 



Alabama, Ala. 

Alaska Territory, Alaska 

Arizona, Ariz. 

Arkansas, Ark. 

California, Cal. 

Colorado, Colo. 

Connecticut, Conn., Ct. 

Delaware, Del. 

District of Columbia, D.C. 

Florida, Fla. 

Georgia, Ga. 

Idaho, Idaho 

Illinois, 111. 

Indiana, Ind. 

Indian Territory, Indian Ter. 

Iowa, Iowa 

Kansas, Kan. 

Kentucky, Ky. 

Louisiana, La. 

Maine, Me. 

Maryland, Md. 

Massachusetts, Mass. 

Michigan, Mich. 

Minnesota, Minn. 

Mississippi, Miss. 

Missouri, Mo. 



Montana, Mont. 

Nebraska, Nebr. 

Nevada, Nev. 

New Hampshire, N.H. 

New Jersey, N.J. 

New Mexico Territory, N. 

Mex. 
New York, N.Y. 
North Carolina, N.C. 
North Dakota, N. Dak. 
Ohio, O., Ohio. 

Oklahoma Territory, Oklo. T. 
Oregon, Ore., Oregon 
Pennsylvania, Penn., Pa. 
Rhode Island, R.I. 
South Carolina, S.C, 
South Dakota, S. Dak. 
Tennessee, Tenn. 
Texas, Tex. 
Utah, Utah, Ut. 
Vermont, Vt. 
Virginia, Va. 
Washington, Wash. 
West Virginia, W. Va. 
Wisconsin, Wis. 
Wyoming, Wyo. 



[ 202 ] 



Foreign fVords 



Foreign Words and Phrases 

OFTEN USED IN CORRESPONDENCE 



Fr.y French. 



Z., Latin. 



It.y Italian. 



Ab extra (Z,), from without 
Ab initio (Z.), from the begin- 
ning 
A bon marchg {Fr^y a good 

bargain 
Absence d'esprit {Fr.)^ ab- 
sence of mind 
A coups de baton (Fr^, with 

blows of a stick 
Actionnaire {Fr.), a share- 
holder 
Ad arbitrium (Z.), at discretion 
Addenda (Z.), things to be 

added 
Ad finem (Z.), to the end 
Ad hominem (Z.), personal to 

the individual 
Ad infinitum (Z.), to infinity 
Ad interim (Z.), meanwhile 
Ad libitum (Z.), at pleasure 
Ad nauseam (Z.), to nausea 
Ad valorem (Z.), according to 

the value 
Affaire d'amour {Fr^, a love 

affair 
Affaire d'honneur (/V.), an af- 
fair of honor ; a duel. 
Affaire du coeur {Fr.), an af- 
fair of the heart 
A fin de {Fr.), to the end that 
Aide-de-camp {Fr), an assist- 
ant to a general 
A I'abandon {Fr.), at random 

[ 203 ] 



A la bonne heure {Fr.), well- 
timed ; at an early hour 

A la Francaise {Fr.), after the 
French manner 

A la mode {Fr,), according to 
the fashion 

A I'anglaise {Fr,), after the 
English manner 

Alias (Z.), otherwise 

Alibi (Z.), elsewhere 

Alma mater (Z.), kind mother, 
or benign mother 

Alter ego (Z.), my other self 

Alter idem (Z.), another ex- 
actly similar 

Amende honorable {Fr), an 
apology 

Amo (Z.), I love 

Amor patriae (Z.), love of 
country 

Amour propre {Fr.), self-love, 
vanity 

Animo et fide (Z.), by courage 
and faith 

Animus (Z.), mind; i ention 

Anno Christi (Z,), in the year 
of Christ 

Anno Domini (Z.), in the year 
of our Lord 

Anno mundi (Z.), in the year 
of the world 

Annus mirabilis (Z.), the year 
of wonders 

Ante 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Ante bellum (Z.), before the 
war 

Ante lucem (Z.), before day- 
light 

Ante meridiem (Z.), before 
noon 

Apercu {Fr.), an abstract, sum- 
mary 

A posse ad esse (Z.), from 
possibility to reality 

A priori (Z.), from cause to 
effect 

A propos de rien {Fr.), apropos 
to nothing 

Argent comptant {Fr^, ready 
money 

A toute force {Fr,), with all 
one's might 

Attache {Fr.), a person at- 
tached to a legation 

Au fait {Fr^, skilful ; expert. 

Auf wiedersehen {Ger.), adieu 
till we meet again 

Au pis aller {Fr.), at the worst 

Au plaisir de vous revoir [Fr.), 
till I have the pleasure of 
seeing you again 

Au revoir {Fr.), adieu till we 
meet again 

Badinage {Fr.), pleasantry ; 

bandying words in jest 
Bagatelle {Fr.), a trifle 
Bal masque {Fr.), masquerade 

ball 
Bas bleu {Fr.), blue-stocking; 

a literary woman 
Beau monde {Fr^, the gay 

world 
Beaux esprits {Fr^, gay spirits 
Bel esprit (/V.), a brilliant mind 

[ 204 ] 



Bete noire {Fr.), a black beast; 

a bugbear 
Billet doux {Fr.), love-letter 
Bis (Z.), twice repeated 
Bizarre (i^r.), fantastic; odd 
Blas6 {Fr), worn out by ex- 
cesses; surfeited 
Bona fide (Z.), in good faith; 

really 
Bon-bon {Fr.), confectionery 
Bonhomie {Fr.), good-natured 

simplicity 
Bonjour {Fr.), good-morning, 

or good-day 
Bon mot {Fr.), a witty saying 
Bonne {Fr.), nurse ; a lady's 

maid 
Bonne bouche {Fr.), a delicate 

bit ; a sweet morsel 
Bonsoir {Fr.), good-evening 
Bon ton {Fr.), fashionable 

society 
Bonus (Z.), a consideration for 

something received 
Bourgeois {Fr.), a citizen 

Cafe (/^r.), coffee ; coffee-house 
Canaille {Fr.), the rabble 
Cap-li-pie {Fr.), from head to 

foot 
Carpe diem (Z.), imj^rove the 

time ; seize the opportun- 
ity 
Carte blanche {Fr.), blank 

sheet of paper ; full power 
Carte-de-visite {Fr.), small 

photograph 
Casus belli (Z.), a cause for 

war 
Chacun ^ son goGt {Fr»), 

every one to his taste 

Champs 



T^he Etiquette of Correspondence 



Champs Elys6es {Fr)y Elysian 
fields ; park in Paris 

ChSteaux en espagne {Fr.), 
castles in the air 

Chef d'ceuvre (^^.)» ^ master- 
piece 

Chdre amie {Fr.), dear friend 
(feminine) 

Cicerone (/A), a guide who 
explains 

Ci-devant {Fr.), formerly 

Comme il faut {Fr.), as it 
should be 

Compagnon de voyage {Fr^, 
a travelling companion 

Con amore {It.), with love; 
inclination 

Contretemps {Fr.), a mis- 
chance; disappointment 

Conversazione {It.), a meeting 
for conversation 

Costume de rigueur {Fr.),i\xVi 
dress 

Couleur de rose {Fr.), rose- 
colored 

Coup de grace {Fr.), a finish- 
ing stroke 

Coup de main {Fr.), a sudden 
effort 

Coup de soleil {Fr.), sunstroke 

Coup d*6tat {Fr.), a stroke of 
policy 

Coupon {Fr.), part of a com- 
mercial bond to be cut off 
as interest becomes due 

CoGte que coQte {Fr.), let it 
cost what it may 

Cui bono (Z.), for whose bene- 
fit ; for what good 

Cuisine (i^r.), a kitchen ; cook- 
ery 

[ 205 ] 



Cum grano salis (Z.), with a 

grain of salt 
Curriculum (Z.), course ; career 

Data (Z.), things given or 
granted 

De bonne grace {Fr.), willing 
and kindly 

D^but {Fr.), first appearance 
in public 

De facto (Z.), in fact; in reality 

Degage {Fr^, easy 

Dei gratia (Z.), by the grace of 
God 

Demi-monde {Fr.), depraved 
women 

Denouement {Fr.), the end- 
ing 

Deo volente (Z.), God willing 

De profundis (Z.), out of the 
depths 

Dernier ressort {Fr), last re- 
sort 

Detour {Fr.), a circuitous 
march 

De trop {Fr.), too much; too 
many 

Devoir {Fr), duty 

Dictum (Z.), a mere assertion 

Dies ires (Z.), day of wrath 

Disjecta membra (Z.), scat- 
tered remains 

Distingue {Fr), distinguished 

Dolce far niente {It.), sweet 
idleness 

Double entendre {Fr.), double 
meaning ; an ambiguous ex- 
pression 

Douceur {Fr.), a bribe 

Dramatis personae (Z.), char- 
acters of the drama 

£au 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Eau de Cologne {Fr.), cologne 

water 
Editio princeps (Z.), first 

edition 
Eclat {Fr.), splendor; glory; 

pomp 
Eldve {Fr.), a pupil 
Elite {Fr.), the choice part 
Embonpoint {Fr.), plump 
Employ 6 [Fr.)^ one employed 

by another 
Empressement {Fr.), Eager- 
ness ; zeal 
En avant {Fr.), forward 
Encore {Fr.), again 
En d6shabill6 {Fr.), in 

undress 
En famille {Fr.), with the fam- 
ily; informally 
Enfant terrible {Fr), spoiled 

child 
Enfin {Fr.), at length ; at last 
En masse {Fr), in a body 
Ennui {Fr.), weariness; lassi- 
tude ; bored 
En passant {Fr.), in passing 
En route {Fr.), on the way 
Entente cordiale {Fr.), cordial 
understanding between two 
parties 
Entr6e {Fr.), a side dish 
Entre nous {Fr.), between us 
En ville {Fr), in town or city 
Ergo (Z.), therefore 
Errata (Z.), errors 
Erratum (Z.), an error 
Esprit de corps {Fr), brother- 
hood ; bond of union ; pride 
in fellowship ; brotherly 
feeling 
Ex animo (Z.), heartily 

[ 206 ] 



Ex cathedra (Z.), from the 

chair ; with authority 
Ex officio (Z.), by virtue of his 

office 
Ex parte 'L.), on one side only 
Expose {Fr.), an exposure 
Ex post facto (Z.), after the 

fact 
Ex tempore (Z.), off-hand ; on 

the spur of the moment 

Facade {Fr.), a front view 

Facile princeps (Z.), the ad- 
mitted chief 

Fac simile (Z.), an exact copy 

Fac totum (Z.), do anything; 
man of all work 

Faire sans dire {Fr), to do, not 
say 

Fait accompli (Z>'.),a thing al- 
ready done 

Faux pas {Fr), false step 

Femme de charge {Fr.), a 
housekeeper 

Femme sole {Fr), an unmar- 
ried woman 

Festina lente (Z.), hasten 
slowly 

Fete {Fr.), an entertainment 

Fete champ etre {Fr), a rural 
entertainment 

Feu de joie {Fr.), a bonfire 

Feuilleton {Fr), a. small leaf; 
supplement 

Fiat {£), let it be done 

Fide et amore (Z.), by faith 
and love 

Fidus Achates (Z.), a true 
friend 

Fille de chambre {Fr), a 
chambermaid 

Fin-de-«eclc 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Fin-de-siecle (i^r.), these latter 
days ; end of the century 

Finis (Z.), the end 

Front ^ front (^r.),face to face 

Furor scribendi (Z.), a rage 
for writing 

Garcon [Fr.), a boy; a servant 

Garcon de la fete (i^r.), master 
of ceremonies 

Garde du corps (iv-.), a body- 
guard 

Gardez bien {Fr.), guard well ; 
take care 

Genius loci (Z.), the genius of 
the place 

Gens d'armes {Fr), armed 
police 

Gradus ad Parnassum (Z.), 
an aid to writing Latin and 
Greek poetry 

Gratis (Z.), for nothing ; free 

Gratis dictum (Z.), mere asser- 
tion 

Habeas corpus (Z,), in law, a 

writ for delivering a person 

from imprisonment 
Hauteur {Fr.), haughtiness 
Haut gout {Fr.), high flavor 
Haut ton {Fr.), highest fashion 
Hie jacet (Z.), here lies 
Hinc illse lachrymae (Z.), hence 

these tears 
Hoc loco (Z.), in this place 
Hoc tempore (Z.), at this time 
Homme d'esprit {Fr.), a man 

of genius 
Homo sum (Z.), I am a man 
Honi soit qui mal y pense 

{Fr.), evil to him who evil 

thinks 
[207 ] 



Hora fugit (Z.), the hour flies 

Hors de combat {Fr),xvot in a 
condition to fight 

Hotel de ville (Zr,), a town or 
city hall 

Hotel des Invalides {Fr.), Sol- 
diers' Hospital in Paris 

Hotel Dieu {Fr), the house of 
God; a hospital in Paris 

Ibidem, Ibid (Z.), in the same 
place 

Ich dien {Ger.), I serve 

Id est (Z.), that is 

Id genus omne (Z.), all of that 
kind 

Ignis fatuus (Z.), will o' the 
wisp 

Imprimis (Z.), in the first place 

Impromptu (Z.), without study; 
off-hand 

Improvisatore [It.), an im- 
promptu poet or story- 
teller 

In articulo mortis (Z.), at the 
point of death 

Incognito (Z),, unknown 

Index expurgatorius (Z.). list 
of prohibited books 

In dubiis (Z.), in doubt 

In esse (Z.), in being ; in reality 

In extenso (Z,), at full length 

In extremis (Z.), at the point 
of death 

Infinite (Z.), perpetually 

In loco parentis (Z.), in the 
place of a parent 

In medias res (Z.), in the 
midst of things 

In memoriam (Z.), in memory 

In pace (Z.), in peace 

In 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



n propria persona (Z,), in 

person 
n statu quo (Z.), in the for- 
mer state or condition 
nter alia (Z.), among other 

things 
nter nos (Z.), among ourselves 
nterregnum (Z.), an interval 

between two reigns 
nterse (Z.), among themselves 
n toto (Z.), in the whole 
ntra mures (Z.), within the 

walls 
n transitu (Z.), in passing 
pse dixit (Z.), he, himself, said 

it ; a dogmatic assertion 
psissima verba (Z.), the very 

words 
pso facto (Z.), by the act itself 

acta est alea (Z. ), the die is cast 
anuis clausis (Z.), wdth closed 

doors 
e ne sais quoi {Fr.), I know 

not what 
e suis pret (ZV.), I am ready 
et d'eau {Fr.), a jet of water 
eu de mots (Zr.), a play upon 

words 
eu d'esprit {Fr^, a witticism; 

a display of wit 
eu de theatre (Zr.), a stage 

trick ; clap-trap 
e vis en espoir (Zr.), I live in 

hope 
ubilate Deo (Z.), be jo)dEul in 

God 
udicium Dei (Z.), the judg- 
ment of God 
ure divino (Z.), by divine 

law 

[ 208 ] 



Jus divinum (Z.), divine right 
Juste milieu (ZV.), the golden 
mean 

Laisser faire (Zr.), to let alone ; 
to leave matters to right 
themselves 

L'allegro [It.), the merry man, 
or merry one 

Lapsus calami (Z.), a slip of 
the pen 

Lapsus linguae (Z.), a slip of 
the tongne 

Lapsus memoriae (Z.), a slip 
of the memory 

Lares et penates (Z.), house- 
hold gods 

Laus Deo (Z.), praise to God 

Lazzaroni {It), street beggars 

Le beau monde (Zr.), the 
fashionable world 

L'empire deslettres {Z>'.),the 
republic of letters 

Le point du jour {Fr.), day- 
break 

Le roi et I'^tat (Zr.), the king 
and the state 

Le savoir faire (ZV.)> the know- 
ing how to act 

Le savoir-vivre (Zr.), the 
knowing how to live 

Les extremes se touchent 
(Z>.), extremes meet 

Lettre de cachet (Zr.), a sealed 
letter; a royal warrant 

Lettre de marque (ZV.), a let- 
ter of marque or reprisal 

Lex loci (Z.), the law of cus- 
tom or usage 

Lex non scripta (Z.), the un- 
written law 

Lex 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Lex non Scripta (Z.), "The 
unwritten law or the com- 
mon law " 

Liaison {Fr.), an amour 

Libretto {It), a little book; 
a pamphlet ; small book 
with the text of an opera 

L'inconnu {Fr.), the unknown 

Litera scripta manet (Z.), 
the written letter remains 

Literati (Z.), men of learning 

Literatim (Z.), literally; letter 
for letter 

Litterateur {Fr), a literary 
man 

Loci communes (Z.) common- 
places ; topics 

Locum tenens (Z.), a substi- 
tute ; proxy 

Loyal en tout {Fr.)y loyal in 
everything 

Ma chdre {Fr.), my dear (fem- 
inine) 

Magnum bonum (Z.), a great 
good 

Magnum opus (Z.), a great 
work 

Maintiens le droit {Fr.), main- 
tain the right 

Maison de compagne {Fr.) a 
country-seat ; a country 
house 

Maison de ville {Fr.), a town 
house 

Maitre d* h6tel {Fr.)^ a stew- 
ard 

Major dome (Z.), master of 
house; steward 

Maladie du pays {Fr.), home- 
sickness 
C 209 ] (14) 



Mala fide (Z.), in bad faith 
Mai ^ propos {Fr.), out of 

place; ill-time 
Mai de mer {Fr.). seasickness 
Malgr6 nous {Fr), in spite of us 
Mali exempli {L.), a bad ex- 
ample 
Manes (Z.), a ghost ; departed 

spirit 
Mania a potu (Z.), madness 

from drink 
Manu forti (Z.), with a strong 

hand 
Materfamilias (Z.),the mother 

of a family 
Materia Medica (Z.), sub- 
stances used in the healing 

art 
Mauvaise honte {Fr), false 

modesty 
Mauvais goflt {Fr.), bad taste 
Maximum (Z.), the greatest 

possible 
Melange {Fr), a mixture 
Memento mori (Z,), remember 

death 
Memorabilia (Z.), things worth 

remembering 
Memor et fidelis (Z.), mindful 

and faithful 
Memoriter (Z.), by rote 
Menu {Fr) bill of fare 
Mesalliance {Fr), marriage 

with an inferior 
Meum et tuum (Z.), mine and 

thine 
Mezzo termine (//.), a middle 

course 
Minimum (Z.), the least 
Minutiae (Z.), trifles; minute 

points 

Mirabile 



T'he Etiquette of Correspondence 



Mirabile dictu (Z.), wonderful 

to relate 
Mirabile visu (Z.), wonderful 

to see 
Modus operandi (Z.), the mode 

of operation 
Mon ami {Fr.), my friend (mas- 
culine) 
Morceau {Fr.), a morsel 
Mots d' usage (/^r.), phrases in 

common use 
Multum in parvo (Z.), much 

in a little space 
Mutatis mutandis (Z.), the 

necessary changes being 

made 

Naivet6 {Fr.), simplicity 

N6e {Fr.), bom; family name 

N6glig6 [Fr.], undress 

Nem. con. {mmim contradi- 
cente) (Z.), without oppo- 
sition. 

Nem. dis. {iiemine dissentiente) 
(Z.), no one dissenting 

Ne plus ultra (Z.), the utmost 
limit 

Ne quid nimis (Z.), not too 
much ; avoid extremes 

Nil admirari (Z.), to be aston- 
ished at nothing 

Nil desperandum (Z.), never 
despair 

N'importe {Fr), it matters 
not 

Noblesse oblige {Fr.), rank im- 
poses obligations 

Nolens volens (Z.), willing or 
unwilling 

Noli me tangere (Z.), touch me 
not 

[ 2IO ] 



Nolle prosequi (Z.), unwilling 
to proceed; discontinuance 
of a lawsuit 

Nom de guerre {Fr.) a war- 
name ; an assumed title in 
travelling 

Nom de plume (/r.), a writer's 
assumed name 

Nonchalance {Fr.,) careless- 
ness ; indifference 

Non compos mentis (Z.), not 
of sound mind 

Non multa sed multum (Z.), 
not many things but much 

Non nobis solum (Z.), not to 
us alone 

Non sequitur (Z.), it does not 
follow 

Nota bene (Z.), take notice 

N'oubliez pas (^r.), forget not 

Nous verrons {Fr?), we shall 
see 

Nouvellette {Fr), a short novel 

Nunc aut nunquam (Z.), now 
or never 

Nunquam non paratus (Z.), 
never unprepared 

Obiit (Z.) he or she died. 

Obiter dictum (Z.), a thing 
said by the way 

Odium in longum jacens (Z.), 
an old grudge 

Odium theologicum (Z.), the 
dislike of divines. 

Ohne Hast, ohne Rast {Ger.), 
haste not, rest not 

Olla podrida {Sp.), a hetero- 
geneous mixture 

On dit {Fr.), they say; a sly 
rumor 

Onus 



The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Onus proband! (Z.), the burden 
of proof 

Ora et labora (Z.), pray and 
labor 

Ora pro nobis (Z.), pray for us 

O tempores, O mores (Z.), O 
the times, O the manners 

Otium cum dignitate (Z.), 
leisure with dignity 

Ouvriers {Fr.), artisans; work- 
men 

Papier mach6 {Fr.), a sub- 
stance made of paper re- 
duced to pulp 

Par excellence {Fr.), pre-emi- 
nently or by way of eminence 

Pars pro toto (Z.), part for the 
whole 

Particeps criminis (Z.), an 
accomplice in the crime 

Parvenue [Fr.), a newcomer; 
an upstart 

Passe-partout {Fr.), a master 
key ; a certain kind of frame 
for a picture 

Passim (Z.), everywhere 

Paterfamilias (Z.), the father 
of a family 

Pater noster (Z.), Our Father; 
The Lord's prayer 

Pater patriae (Z.), the father of 
his country 

Pax vobiscum (Z.), peace be 
with you 

Peccavi (Z.), I have sinned 

Penchant {Fr.), inclination 

Per annum (Z.), by the year 

Per capita (Z.), by the head 
singly 

Per centum (Z.), by the hundred 

[ "> ] 



Per diem (Z.), by the day 

Perse (Z.), by itself; for its 
own sake 

Petitio principii (Z.), begging 
of the question 

Petit maitre {Fr.), a fop 

Pis aller (Fr.), the worst, or 
last shift 

Pleno jure (Z.), with full au- 
thority 

Poco d poco {Sp.)j little by 
little 

Poeta nascitur (Z.), poet is 
born, not made 

Point d' appui {Fr.), point of 
support 

Pons asinorum (Z.), bridge of 
asses 

Posse comitatus (Z.), an armed 
body 

Poste restante {Fr.), to remain 
till called for 

Post mortem (Z.), after death 

Post obitum (Z.), after death 

Pot-pourri {Fr.), a medley 

Pour encourager les autres 
{Fr.), for the encourage- 
ment of others 

Pour faire visite {Fr.), to pay 
a visit 

Pour passer le temps {Fr.), 
to while away the time 

Pour prendre cong6 {Fr.), to 
take leave 

Praescriptum (Z.), a thing pre- 
scribed 

Prima donna (//.), the princi- 
pal singer at a concert or 
opera 

Prima facie (Z.), the first 
view 

Primum 



"The Etiquette of Correspondence 



Primum mobile (Z.), first im- 
pulse 
Principia (Z.), first principles 
Pro bono publico (Z.), for the 

good of the public 
Pro et con (Z.), for and against 
Pro rata (Z.), in proportion 
Pro tanto (Z.), for so much 
Prot6g6 {Fr.), one protected or 

patronized 
Pro tempore (Z.), for the time 

being 
Proviso (Z.), it being provided; 

a condition 
Punica fides (Z.), Punic faith; 
treachery 

Qualis rex, talis grex (Z.), like 

king, like people 
Qualis vita, finis ita (Z.), as the 

life, so the end 
Quantum libet (Z.), as much 

as you please 
Quantum sufficit (Z.), it is 

enough 
Quasi (Z.), as if, in a manner 
Quid nunc (Z.), what now ? 
Quid pro quo (Z.), one thing 

for another ; tit for tat 
Quid rides (Z.), why do you 

laugh ? 
Qui pense ? [Fr.), who thinks ? 
Qui vive ? {Fr.), who goes 

there ? ; on the alert 
Quo animo {L.), with what 

intention 
Quod erat demonstrandum 

(Z.), which was to be dem- 
onstrated 
Quod erat faciendum (Z.), 

which was to be done 

[ 212 3 



Quo jure (Z.), by what right ? 

Quondam (Z.), Having been ; 
formerly 

Quota (Z.), a share ; a propor- 
tion 

Quo warranto (Z.), by what 
authority 

Raison d'etre {Fr.), a reason 
of state ; a reason for being 

Rara avis (Z.), a rare bird 

Recherch6 {Fr.), uncommon; 
desirable ; rare 

Reductio ad absurdum (Z.), 
a reduction to an absur- 
dity 

Regina (Z.), queen 

Regium donum (Z.), a royal 
gift 

Renaissance {Fr.), revival; 
new birth, as of letters or 
art 

R6pondez s'il vous plait {Fr.), 
answer if you please 

Requiescat in pace (Z.), may 
he rest in peace 

Res gestae (Z)., exploits 

Res publica (Z.), the common- 
wealth 

Resum6 {Fr.), an abstract or 
summary 

Resurgam (Z.), I shall rise 
again 

Revenons ^ nos moutons 
{Fr.), let us return to our 
subject 

Rex (Z.), king 

Robe de chambre {Fr.), a 
dressing gown 

Ruat ccelum (Z.), let the heav- 
ens fall 

Ruse 



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Ruse contra ruse {Fr.) trick 
against trick 

Ruse de guerre {Fr.)f3. strata- 
gem of war 

Sal Atticum {£.), Attic salt ; wit 

Sanctum sanctorum {£.}, holy 
of holies 

Sang froid {Fr.), indifference; 
apathy 

Sans c6r6monie (Fr.), without 
ceremony 

Sans culotte (Fr.), without 
breeches ; a rag-a-muf&n 

Sans Dieu rien (Fr.), nothing 
without God 

Sans peur et sans reproche 
(Fr.), without fear and with- 
out reproach 

Sans rime et sans raison (Fr.), 
without rhyme or reason 

Sans souci {Fr.), without care ; 
free and easy 

Sans tache (Fr.), without spot 

Sartor resartus (Z.), the cob- 
bler mended 

Sauve qui peut (Fr.), let him 
save himself who can 

Savoir-faire {Fr.), tact ; skill 

Savoir-vivre (Fr.), good-breed- 
ing 

S6ance {Fr.), a sitting 

Secundum artem {£.), accord- 
ing to art ; regularly 

Secundum usum (Z.), accord- 
ing to custom 

Semper fidelis (Z.), always 
faithful 

Semper paratus (Z.), always 
prepared 

Seriatim {£.), in regular order 

C 213 ] 



Sic {£.), so ; such 

Sic est vita (Z.), such is life 

Sic passim {£•), so everywhere 

Similia similibus curantur 
{£.), like cures like 

Similis simili gaudet {£.), like 
is pleased with like 

Sine die {£.), without naming 
a day 

Sine qu§ non {£.), without 
which; not; an indispen- 
sable condition 

Sobriquet {Fr.), a nickname 

Soi-disant {Fr.), self-called; 
pretended 

Soiree {Fr.), an evening party, 
or entertainment 

Soir6e dansante (Fr.), dancing 
party 

Sotto voce (//.)> ill an under- 
tone; a whisper 

Souvenir (Fr.), remembrance 

Statu quo (£.), as things were 
before 

Status quo {£•), the state in 
which 

Stet {£.), let it stand 

Suaviter in modo, sed fortiter 
in re (Z.), gentle in manner, 
but determined in matter 

Sub poena {£.), under a pen- 
alty 

Sub rosa {£.), under the rose ; 
privately 

Sui generis {£.), of its own 
kind 

Tableau vivant (Fr.), living 

picture 
Table d'hote (Fr.), public table 
at a hotel ; regular course 

Tant 



The Eaquette of Correspondence 



Tant mieux [Fr.), so much the 

better 
Tant pis {Fr.), so much the 

worse 
Tapis {Fr.), carpet' — {on the 

tapis) under consideration 
Tempus fugit (Z.), time flies 
Terra firma {L.), solid land 
Terra incognita (Z.), unknown 

land 
Tete-^-tete {Fr.), face to face ; 

confidential interview 
Ton {Fr.), the prevailing fash- 
ion 
Toujours pret {Fr.), always 

ready- 
Tout au contraire {Fr.), on the 

contrary 
Tout ensemble {Fr.), the whole 

taken together 
Tuum est (Z.), it is thine own 

Ultima thule (Z.), the utmost 
boundary or limit 

Ultimatum (Z.), the last offer ; 
last condition 

Una voce (Z.), with one voice 

Un fait accompli {Fr.), an ac- 
complished fact 

Unique {Fr.), the only one of 
its kind 

Ut infra (Z.), as cited below 

Ut supra (Z.), as above 

Vade in pace (Z.), go in peace 
Vade mecum (Z.), with me ; a 

constant companion 
Vae victis (Z 

quished 

[ 214 3 



woe to the van- 



Vale (Z.), farewell 
Valet-de-chambre {Fr.), a 

valet; a body servant 
Vaudeville {Fr.), a variety 

show ; a comedy with song 

and dance 
Veni, vidi, vici (Z.), I came, I 

saw, I conquered 
Verbatim et literatim (Z.), 

word for word; letter for 

letter ; exact copy 
Verbum sat sapienti (Z.), a 

word to the wise 
Veritas vincit (Z.), truth con- 
quers 
V6rit6 sans peur [Fr.), truth 

without fear 
Versus (Z.), against 
Via (Z.), by the way of 
Via media (Z.), a middle course 
Vice versa (Z.), the terms being 

reversed 
Vide ut supra (Z.), see the 

preceding 
Vi et armis (Z.), by force of 

arms 
Vis-^-vis {Fr.), face to face ; a 

person opposite 
Vive la r^publique {Fr.), long 

live the republic 
Vive le roi {Fr.), long live the 

king 
Viva voce (Z.), by word of 

mouth 
Voil^ {Fr.), see there 
Vox populi, vox Dei (Z.), the 

voice of the people is the 

voice of God 
Vraisemblance {Fr.), likeness 

to truth ; possibility 



LBAa'05 



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